Pittsburgh Ballet has never been the same since Nicolas Petrov became a member of the Playhouse dance faculty in 1965. Three years since that, the Yugoslavian choreographer has been producing small shows, the most noteworthy of which is his adaptation of The Nutcracker which was headlined by 85 of his students. To address the growing interest for the company, the dance school was transferred to the larger Lawrence Hall which is located at the heart of the city.
Two years after, the group staged its inaugural show at the Playhouse. In 1970, the company started to perform at Syria Mosque. In 1971, PBT transferred its operations from Lawrence Hall to Heinz Hall thanks to the effort of several donors who raised funds to buy a more spacious location for the company. The new building housed its school, its production rooms and its dancing halls.
In 1974, Frederic Franklin assumed the position of co-artistic director and this brought positive changes. In just four years after Franklin and Petrov became co-leaders, more than half of the annual budget was taken from the sales of tickets from previous productions. Yet, the rehearsals and classes of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater is still conducted at the Point Park College. However, the group broke its partnership with the school when they have settled their dues.
The two Artistic Director set-up when Franklin went on to put full attention to his designation at Point Park. The move also caused Petrov to depart. In this instance, the Board of Trustees appointed John Gilpin as Artistic Director. Although he was successful as the principal dancer of the London Festival Ballet, his stint with PBT was highlighted by health issues. This situation led to the appointment of Patrick Frantz as Artistic Director in 1978.
Frantz initiated the drive for more contemporary pieces in succeeding productions and he staunchly pushed for a company-ran school. During PBT's 10th anniversary in 1980, the dance group became a member of the American Guild of Musical Artists. Likewise, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann has been nominated to the Board of Trustees.
Four years after being appointed as Artistic Director, Frantz begged off from the post to focus on choreography. He was then replaced by Patricia Wilde in June 1982 and the new Artistic Director added more works by New York City Ballet co-founder George Balanchine. By 1983, the company was planning to move in its current address at 2900 Liberty Avenue.
Likewise, the company helped in the formation a new arts center in Pittsburgh. Through the efforts of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Stanley Theater was renovated and renamed as the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts. PBT, as well as other art groups in the city, agreed to be constituents of the new center in 1987.
Wilde left in 1997 was succeeded in the Artistic Director Position by Terrence S. Orr who is a former principal dancer of the American Ballet Theater. The stamp mark of Orr in the company is the drive for productions that use music from the likes of Sting, Frank Sinatra and Bruce Springsteen. The Pittsburgh Ballet Theater once again staged The Nutcracker in 2002. In 2006, the PBT inaugurated its Choreographer Showcase at the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts.
Two years after, the group staged its inaugural show at the Playhouse. In 1970, the company started to perform at Syria Mosque. In 1971, PBT transferred its operations from Lawrence Hall to Heinz Hall thanks to the effort of several donors who raised funds to buy a more spacious location for the company. The new building housed its school, its production rooms and its dancing halls.
In 1974, Frederic Franklin assumed the position of co-artistic director and this brought positive changes. In just four years after Franklin and Petrov became co-leaders, more than half of the annual budget was taken from the sales of tickets from previous productions. Yet, the rehearsals and classes of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater is still conducted at the Point Park College. However, the group broke its partnership with the school when they have settled their dues.
The two Artistic Director set-up when Franklin went on to put full attention to his designation at Point Park. The move also caused Petrov to depart. In this instance, the Board of Trustees appointed John Gilpin as Artistic Director. Although he was successful as the principal dancer of the London Festival Ballet, his stint with PBT was highlighted by health issues. This situation led to the appointment of Patrick Frantz as Artistic Director in 1978.
Frantz initiated the drive for more contemporary pieces in succeeding productions and he staunchly pushed for a company-ran school. During PBT's 10th anniversary in 1980, the dance group became a member of the American Guild of Musical Artists. Likewise, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann has been nominated to the Board of Trustees.
Four years after being appointed as Artistic Director, Frantz begged off from the post to focus on choreography. He was then replaced by Patricia Wilde in June 1982 and the new Artistic Director added more works by New York City Ballet co-founder George Balanchine. By 1983, the company was planning to move in its current address at 2900 Liberty Avenue.
Likewise, the company helped in the formation a new arts center in Pittsburgh. Through the efforts of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Stanley Theater was renovated and renamed as the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts. PBT, as well as other art groups in the city, agreed to be constituents of the new center in 1987.
Wilde left in 1997 was succeeded in the Artistic Director Position by Terrence S. Orr who is a former principal dancer of the American Ballet Theater. The stamp mark of Orr in the company is the drive for productions that use music from the likes of Sting, Frank Sinatra and Bruce Springsteen. The Pittsburgh Ballet Theater once again staged The Nutcracker in 2002. In 2006, the PBT inaugurated its Choreographer Showcase at the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts.
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