THE INTERNET BALLET DATABASE

Ballet San Antonio

The mission of Ballet San Antonio, a professional ballet company, is to share the splendor of dance through diverse artistic performances and outreach programs that reflect, promote and enrich the cultural heritage of our South Texas community.

We hold an uncompromising commitment to continually attract and nurture exceptional professional dancers, create distinctive performances, and make dance accessible to the widest possible audiences through partnerships with local organizations.

History
Ballet San Antonio (formerly known as Texas Ballet Concerto) was founded as a Texas non-profit corporation in June, 1985, by Artistic Director Mayra Worthen and ballerina Melissa Hale.

Ballet San Antonio is a classically-trained professional ballet company that is devoted to creating and presenting high quality performances as it carries on the Ballet Russe tradition of exuberance in performing. Under the direction of Mayra Worthen, dancers are trained in the Ballet Russe style (which is unique to Ballet San Antonio and not currently taught elsewhere in the city.)

The company has presented original works nationally and internationally known choreographers. In addition, performances of The Nutcracker, Coppelia, and Les Sylphides have been staged. In 1991, the emerging company changed its name to Ballet San Antonio so that it would be associated with its mother city.

Since 1992, BSA has performed at the Lila Cockrell Theater to a near capacity crowd. BSA has collaborated with other San Antonio arts organizations, notably the San Antonio Symphony, Arts San Antonio, and the San Antonio Jazz Ensemble. Each spring BSA showcases various choreographers for a successful presentation of contemporary disciplines, creating a dynamic evening of dance.

For the past thirteen years, Ballet San Antonio has expanded its community outreach which takes ballet to those who do not have the opportunity to come to the theater. Performances have been given at the Ronald McDonald House, the Chandler House, the Guenther House, and many local hospitals and schools. BSA donated the proceeds of one of its Nutcracker performances to the University of Texas Health Science Center High Risk Infant Program and Children with Aids. Ballet San Antonio is committed to improving children’s lives through its current outreach program, Learning That Moves You, which enhances learning and literacy, provides positive role models, and builds self-esteem through dance. During the 2007-2008 season, Learning That Moves You reached 2200 students through in-school lecture demonstrations. Ballet San Antonio’s student performances of The Nutcracker have reached over 100,000 students.