Peninsula Ballet Theatre in the News
Peninsula Ballet Theatre’s new move
May 27, 2010, 02:02 AM By Bill Silverfarb Daily Journal staff
Peninsula Ballet Theatre is expanding in a major way. It has leased an old Circuit City building in San Mateo and is about to offer a variety of dance classes for the first time in its 40-year history.
PBT is the largest employer of professional artists in the county and operates a nonprofit ballet school.
However, the company has always had to rent studio space leading up to its productions. So when PBT puts on its annual “Nutcracker” production, it must rent space at the facility the performance will be held, such as the San Mateo Performing Arts Center.
It has also had to store its costumes and sets at three different warehouse spaces in Redwood City and Belmont.
That all changes now as the Circuit City site at the Concar Shopping Center has 30,000 square feet in which to operate. The space is large enough for complete production rehearsals and will be subdivided into several smaller dance studios. The old electronic store’s stock room is large enough to house all the group’s costumes and sets, said Christine Leslie, Peninsula Ballet Theatre president and chief executive officer.
Music will also be taught at the site and a space for art exhibits will be carved out.
The company has a nucleus of 34 professional dancers, some of whom will be teaching at the new facility, said Artistic Director Bruce Steivel.
“We are making a huge leap of faith,” Steivel said. The company signed a 10-year lease for the space.
PBT will now offer hip-hop, jazz and ballroom dancing classes as well as yoga, Steivel said.
“We’ve never taught actual classes,” Steivel said.
The move should help PBT expand its touring capabilities, he said.
Classes start June 28 in two divisions — the pre-professional division and general. The pre-professional division is for students who want to pursue a professional career and are willing to invest more time and effort. The general division is open to students of all ages who want a general knowledge of dance; enjoy the exercise, the creative process and professional performance opportunity, according to Leslie.
The space is at 1880 S. Grant St., with easy freeway access and close to the Hayward Park Caltrain station.
PBT has been around since 1967 and offers ballet classes based on the Russian Vaganova training system.
All faculty members have a degree in dance and/or have danced professionally with major companies, according to Leslie.
Bill Silverfarb can be reached by e-mail or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106.
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