Ballet Western Reserve History

In 1962, Statia Sublette of the Erie Civic Ballet opened a ballet school in Youngstown, Ohio.  By 1966, the then “Ballet Guild” accepted the invitation of the Youngstown Symphony Society to become an affiliate, and in 1967, the Guild’s first performance of The Nutcracker was included in the Symphony’s season.  The school continued to grow until 1979 when it was incorporated as Ballet Western Reserve, Inc., a regional company.  Anita Lin was hired as Artistic Director in 1982 and led a flourishing BWR into the 21st Century, continuing education, outreach, and performances until 2010 when she retired.

BWR continued its focus on being the premier Ballet Studio in North East Ohio, training students with an emphasis on technique over trophies.  Classes of other dance genres were also incorporated into the curriculum, with offerings in modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and musical theater.  In 2018 and 2019, under the direction of Jacqueline Cunningham, A Jazz Nutcracker was staged.  This production introduced a collaboration between YSU’s Dana School of Music Jazz Ensemble and BWR.  Though The Nutcracker has been the highlight of BWR’s performance seasons in more recent years, the school also offers two fundraising performances each winter-the “Young Dancers’ Showcase,” where BWR’s youngest students perform in a more intimate setting for friends and family, as well as “Building Art,” which showcases BWR’s older and more experienced dancers, who choreograph and perform their own works.  The annual “Spring Gala” is the culmination of all the dancers’ hard work each May, offering audiences a wide variety of dance performances in all genres.  BWR’s pre-professional company is also involved in many community events, with additional unique opportunities to perform and volunteer within Mahoning and surrounding counties.  Such examples include performances with Opera Western Reserve, local nursing home events, Youngstown CityScape’s First Friday community events, YSU’s Summer Festival of the Arts, and The Youngstown Playhouse.

2020 introduced a new Artistic Director, Catherine Greyjoy, who led the BWR team to produce its first full length film, The Nutcracker, premiering as a drive-in movie during the pandemic.  The 21/22 season allowed Greyjoy to present her first live, full-length, classical stage production of The Nutcracker with orchestral accompaniment by the Dana Ensemble.  In 2023, Danielle Perrotta was hired as the Executive and Artistic Director of BWR.  For her Nutcracker staged productions, BWR has featured the wonderful Youngstown Symphony Orchestra as musical accompaniment.  This year, in addition to the three performances of The Nutcracker that BWR will stage in Youngstown, a show has been added with The Greenville Symphony at Thiel College in Mercer County, Pennsylvania.  In its 62^nd season, BWR continues to offer quality training and unique performance opportunities to all its students, while staying true to their mission—to provide excellence in dance education which enlightens, entertains, and inspires passion and joy.

All photos courtesy of Ballet Western Reserve.

Milestones

1962

Statia Sublette of the Erie Civic Ballet opened a ballet school in Youngstown, Ohio.

1966

the then “Ballet Guild” accepted the invitation of the Youngstown Symphony Society to become an affiliate.

1967

the Guild’s first performance of The Nutcracker was included in the Symphony's season.

1979

it was incorporated as Ballet Western Reserve, Inc., a regional company.

1982

Anita Lin was hired as Artistic Director and led a flourishing BWR into the 21st Century, continuing education, outreach, and performances until 2010 when she retired.

2018

under the direction of Jacqueline Cunningham, A Jazz Nutcracker was staged.

2020

introduced a new Artistic Director, Catherine Greyjoy, who led the BWR team to produce its first full length film, The Nutcracker, premiering as a drive-in movie during the pandemic.

2023

Danielle Perrotta was hired as the Executive and Artistic Director of BWR.