Festival Ballet Names New Director, Trustees
Friday, October 22, 2010
Last month, Festival Ballet Providence (FBP), underwent some dramatic changes in its management with the resignation of its managing director and seven members of its board of trustees. Now only weeks later, Board Chairman Don Wineberg has a better sense of the ballet’s direction and the goals it needs to accomplish.
“We have a new managing director in George Tortarolo, who has moved here from Los Angeles. We are very fortunate to have him, it’s really exciting,” Wineberg said. Among his many accomplishments, Tortarolo managed Madonna’s 2004 Re-Invention World Tour. He has also worked with artists such as Ice-T, Paul Oakenfold and Melissa Etheridge.
In addition, four new trustees have been named, all of which have served on the board in prior years. Lisa Van Allsburg, Joan Abrams, Marie Weiss and Linda Kushner have re-established themselves, adding their experience and energy to the now-revitalized dance company.
“We took on a big budget this year based on increased revenue. Things have been difficult from a cash flow perspective,” Wineberg said. For that reason, Mary Lovejoy, a vice president and treasurer at Textron, and Robert Grant, a senior executive at Swarovski, have aided in providing financial direction.
According to Wineberg, revenue for FBP is generated through their Center for Dance Education (CDE), ticket sales and philanthropic donations, with all three sources contributing equally to the estimated $1.5 million budget. The education curriculum operates out of the ballet’s Providence headquarters on Hope Street, with satellite studios in Rumford and East Greenwich. “It’s my understanding enrollment is at the highest it’s ever been,” he said.
Wineberg assured the studios will continue to operate and the upcoming performances will proceed as scheduled, including The Nutcracker at the Providence Performing Arts Center.
He also acknowledged that the community has rallied and supported the troupe. Three weeks after the exodus, about $125,000 in donations was received through various sources. Recently, the group has met with members of the Rhode Island Foundation. The ballet’s performances combined with their educational outreach could be a perfect fit for the Foundation’s mission to support the arts and education.
“We have several things happening right now. We’re planning not only for the immediate future but developing a long range plan as well,” he said. That plan includes an innovative and progressive version of The Nutcracker, one unlike any other presented in New England. Wineberg is hopeful the production will be performed in 2011.
Formed in 1978, the ballet is the Ocean State’s largest and most notable professional dance company. Under the guidance of Artistic Director Mihailo "Misha" Djuric, FBP has the reputation as one of the country’s top regional ballet companies. Part dancer, actor, choreographer and costume designer, Djuric has been a fundamental part of the ballet for the last 12 years. “Misha has been great during this time. He’s been a big help,” he said.
With Djuric’s direction and the aid of the board of trustees, the troupe has expanded its horizons. In addition to traditional ballet, its repertoire includes contemporary, classical and neoclassical dance. It also serves as an educator, introducing young children to dance with its educational outreach programming, performing such classics as Peter and the Wolf. In addition, their Center for Dance Education provides classes for both children and adults. Whether one’s goal is to dance as a profession or as an interested follower, the CDE has programs for many different levels.
The schedule of performances for Festival Ballet for the 20010 – 2011 season is as follows:
All Balanchine!
Apollo, Who Cares?, Tarentella, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux
Nov. 6 at 8 p.m., Nov. 7 at 2:30 p.m.
VMA Arts and Cultural Center, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence
The Nutcracker
Dec. 17 at 8 p.m., Dec. 18 at 2 and 7 p.m., Dec. 19 at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St., Providence
Vitkor Plotnikov's Carmen
Feb. 4 & 5 at 8 p.m.
Feb. 6 at 2:30 p.m.
VMA Arts and Cultural Center, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence
Up Close on Hope
"Dance so Close you can Touch it"
Program 2
March 18, 19, 20, and March 25, 26, 27
Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m.
FBP Black Box Theater, 825 Hope St., Providence
Sleeping Beauty
May 13 at 8 p.m., May 14 at 8 p.m., May 15 at 2:30 p.m.
VMA Arts and Cultural Center, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence
Photo courtesy of Festival Ballet
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