PBII also complements Philadelphia Ballet’s existing outreach and education program, Community Engagement. Initiated in February 2002, through the generosity of founding donors Joyce and Herbert Kean, the program enables Philadelphia Ballet to greatly expand the depth and scope of its outreach efforts through theater- and non-theater-based performances in Philadelphia area schools as well as other smaller, more intimate venues. PBII has also developed a performance-based program that includes everything from audience participation and a demonstration of ballet exercises to performance excerpts from the company’s repertoire and an informative Q&A session.
PBII schedules approximately 20 performances and demonstrations per year in schools throughout Philadelphia, Camden, and surrounding suburban communities in both Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, as well as in several school districts where the main company tours. These one-day school “residencies” give students an opportunity to observe the dancers as they train, rehearse, and perform. Additional performances are also scheduled for senior centers/residences, community centers, as well as other commercial and non-commercial venues that help extend the company’s reach into the greater community. Roughly 5,000 children and their families attend PBII programs annually.
If you are interested in having PBII visit your school, please contact
Director of Community Engagement Sarah Cooper at [email protected].