Ballet Arts hosts ribbon cutting to celebrate new studio
JACKSON, Tenn. — One local dance studio celebrates two milestones all in one day.
The Greater Jackson Chamber brushed off their red coats to cut the ribbon for Ballet Arts’ new studio. Ballet Arts is approaching their 50th season.
“For the last 48 years, we’ve actually been leasing space from another dance studio. We did have a non-temperature controlled warehouse. It was about 9000 square feet and so we were losing money. We were losing costumes and props and sets,” said Kimberly Evans, executive director.
This new space is located at 4450-US 45 and offers three dance studios and storage for costumes.
Two of the studio floors are scaled as the civic center stage. This will help dancers transitions and to rehearse with their props and costumes, however they are still in the need of some help.
“Each studio floor cost about $10,000 in order to complete. We do have one unfinished studio. We’re also looking to add mirrors to the three studios we have and those are about $5,000 each,” said Evans.
Along with the studio floor, their costume design room is in need of new floors as well. For those who may want to become a sponsor, big news was shared that one classic performance will return early and another performance that will be a part of their world.
“We will be hosting our Nutcracker this year still at the Carl Perkins Civic Center but it will be the weekend of Thanksgiving. So we are excited to be the longest running Nutcracker in the state of Tennessee, so we’re gonna be here for a while. Then we’re really excited we’re gonna be doing a brand new ballet. We will be doing the Little Mermaid in April,” said Caroline Minert, artistic director for Ballet Arts.
Also, Ballet Arts will offer academy classes for children.
“We will be starting up in the fall and registration is open now for our next season. We’re just really excited to offer education and training,” said Minert.
Coming soon they will offer yoga and adult classes in the fall. For those who are looking to have their hands in helping to serve, here’s a way to get involved.
“We’re actually seeking board members currently. We are adding to our board of directors. We’re looking for community members that are ready to serve the arts and support our initiative. They can go to balletartsjackson.org and go to the ‘About’ tab and find out more information,” said Evans.
Ballet Arts serves all of West Tennessee and they are so excited to sauté or jump into their upcoming season.
For more news in the Jackson area, click here.
