Ballet Theatre of Scranton's 50th Anniversary Gala Celebration

November 24, 2007 at the Scranton Cultural Center Ballroom

attended by over 300 patrons                   The Scranton Times-Tribune - November 25, 2007 - 'A Golden Time for Ballet Theatre'

Photos by Bill Knoepfel courtesy of  Guy Cali Associates

50th Anniversary Gala committe: first row, from left - Sally Henry, Terri Cadden, Nancy Salerno, Joanne Arduino, Sheryl Valentini, Judith Snyder, Michelle Rinaldi;

second row, from left - Ellen Matthews, Liz Hemphill, Lori Golden, Pat Bisignani, Tony Nicosia, Jr., Bernie Ross, Paulette Nish, Gina Sheehan.

The Executive Council of Ballet Theatre of Scranton: first row, from left - Julie Calabro, CPA - Co-Treasurer; Gina Sheehan - Vice President for Production; Joanne D. Arduino - Artistic Director; Liz Hemphill - Secretary; Dianne Risse - Vice - President for Development; second row, from left - Paul J. Arduino - Chief Financial Officer; Michelle Rinaldi - Vice President for Social Events; Nancy Salerno - President; Judith Snyder - Vice President for Administration; Lori Golden - Co-Treasurer; Tony Nicosia, Jr. - Managing Director.

Ballet Theatre of Scranton past presidents that attended the gala celebration - from left - Sheryl Valentini, immediate past president; Judy Snyder, Paulette Nish, and Martha O'Connor.

The Advisory Board of Ballet Theatre of Scranton that attended the gala celebration - first row, from left - Dennis M. Size, Cindy Yevich, Henry Danton, Joseph Massaro, Barbara Colangelo, Judith Snyder, Mary F. Rinaldi; second row, from left - Paul J. Arduino, Joe Nish, Chris DiMattio, Kim Supon Kelly, George Mehalchick, Esquire, Dr. Catherine Richmond, Laurie Cadden, Tony Nicosia, Jr.

Program participants included - former Mayor James Connors, Artistic Director Joanne D. Arduino, Mrs.Connors, and Robert Greskovic - Dance Critic for the Wall Street Journal.

Honorary Chairs - Mrs. Therese and United States Senator Robert Casey, with Artistic Director Joanne D. Arduino, center.

Speakers for the evening included -     Welcoming Remarks by Nancy Salerno, Exective Council President

Congratulatory comments by United States Senator Robert Casey

Master of Ceremonies Former Scranton Mayor James Connors

Awards and Proclamations were received by Ballet Theatre from: United States Senators from Pennsylvania, Robert Casy and Arlen Spector; United States House of Representatives Congressman Paul Kanjorski; PA Governor Ed Rendell; PA State Senator Robert J. Mellow and by Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty, below.

Introducing the evening's featured speaker is internationally know ballet teacher and choreographer, Henry Danton.

Featured speaker of the evening's event is Robert Greskovic, Dance Critic for the Wall Street Journal.

Awards were presented during the evening to:   Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, accepted by Executive Director Philip Horn.

                                            Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit (NEIU) #19, with Executive Director, Dr. Fred Rosetti accepting, below.

                                           WNEP TV-16 - 'The News Station', with General Manager, C. Lou Kirchen accepting, below.

                                             Marywood University, with President Sr. Anne Munley, Ph D. accepting the award, below.

Tony Nicosia, Jr., Ballet Theatre Managing Director, presenting an award for 'Dedication and Devotion to Ballet Theatre of Scranton', to Artistic Director Joanne D. Arduino, below.

      And finally, what Ballet Theatre of Scranton is really all about - the dancers, giving their performance!

The Scranton Cultural Center Ballroom was exquisitely lit by a lighting design of Dennis M. Size

of The Lighting Design Group  New York City, implemented by Craig Friedman.

Photos by Bill Knoepfel courtesy of  Guy Cali Associates