Ballet Theatre of Scranton

History
Ballet Theatre of Scranton was founded in 1958 by the late Constance Reynolds to provide area residents with the finest
in dance education and performance, as well as the opportunity
to work with internationally known choreographers and artists.

Northeastern Pennsylvania's premier ballet company includes a Senior, Apprentice, and Children's company under the artistic direction of Joanne D. Arduino. The Senior company is at the forefront in presenting full-length classical ballet with an
extensive repertoire of work.

Since 1976, in conjunction with Marywood University, Ballet Theatre has presented The Nutcracker as a holiday gift to
the community and well over 300,000 persons have enjoyed
this lavish, full-length production to date. This production was
the recipient of a first place Pocono Northeast Award for excellence in artistic contributions and has been cited by Dance Magazine as the only production of its kind in the United States.

The Company plays an active role in promoting the arts in
the community and has participated in lecture series at the University of Scranton and Keystone College. Senior Company members perform annually in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic Christmas Concerts.

Ethnic dance is an important aspect of the performer's training
and the dancer's skills are demonstrated during an annual appearance at La Festa Italiana.

Staff members have worked on community productions for
such organizations as Allied Services, the Lackawanna Medical Auxiliary, the Scranton Diocesan High Schools as well as local
radio and television stations. Many company members continue their training in summer programs with the Bolshoi Ballet
Academy, Boston Ballet, The Royal Academy of Dancing, Pennsylvania Ballet, the Washington D.C. Ballet, the School of American Ballet, the American Theatre Dance Festival and Gus Giordano's Jazz Dance Congress.

Since the onset of the Pennsylvania Governor's School for
the Arts, the company boasts an accomplishment held by few
in the state, placing a record number of dancers in the
scholarship program since its beginning.

Ballet Theatre has hosted the annual Russian Ballet Seminar
from 1991 to 1996 for dancers and teachers from across the
United States every summer. In addition, the company hosts Master Classes throughout its seasons.

In conjunction with the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts, where Artistic Director Joanne Arduino represents Ballet theatre of Scranton as a rostered artist, and with the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit #19, the company works extensively in the school districts throughout Lackawanna, Luzerne and Susquehanna counties presenting their "Discovering Dance Program" and residencies of "Just Dancin' Broadway"' and "Children's Holiday Dance Theatre". The company is committed to play an important role in arts education. Ballet Theatre is also proud to be a recipient of the J.C. Penney Company Golden Rule Award.