It’s the busiest time of year for Ballet Arkansas as dancers, staff and stagehands prepare to dazzle audiences with nutcrackers and sugar plums. Between the bustle of rehearsals, we caught up with board president Dr. Ann Patel to discuss the magic of the season and why it’s just the tip of the snowflake.
Dance is a lifelong passion of yours. What does it mean to you to now be a part of Ballet Arkansas? And did you always imagine you’d remain involved in the dance community?
I grew up dancing ballet, often in a church basement or a small studio, and from a very young age I fell in love with the discipline, artistry and pure joy that came with it. Although life eventually took me out of the studio after high school, it’s brought me back to the world of ballet in a really meaningful way.
Today, I’m fortunate to serve as president of the board for Ballet Arkansas since 2022, and also as the proud parent of a student in the Ballet Arkansas School for Dance. Being part of this organization allows me to support both the professional company and the educational programs that nurture the next generation of dancers.
Watching young students develop their technique, grow in self-confidence and challenge themselves reminds me why ballet has always held such an important place in my heart. The educational mission of Ballet Arkansas is vital to our state’s cultural landscape, fostering our youth as they flourish as children and teenagers continues to inspire me to champion our organization and its future.
Of course, all eyes are currently on “The Nutcracker Spectacular.” It’s a family tradition for many, but can you talk about the significance it holds for the organization?
“The Nutcracker Spectacular” is the largest holiday mainstage production in Arkansas, and it truly embodies the spirit of community and tradition. Each year, more than 200 students from across the state have the incredible opportunity to share the stage with the state’s only professional dance company. Whether you’re performing, volunteering or attending with your family, “The Nutcracker” has something magical for everyone and quickly becomes a cherished holiday tradition.
Beyond its festive appeal, “The Nutcracker Spectacular” is also essential to Ballet Arkansas’ success as an organization. It serves as a cornerstone of support for the rest of our season, helping sustain our programming, expand our outreach and continue elevating our profile nationally.
This year is especially exciting as our “Nutcracker Spectacular” goes on tour, allowing us to reach new communities and provide even more young dancers with the chance to experience the joy of performing. While “The Nutcracker” is vital to our sustainability, it’s the depth, diversity and artistic integrity of our programming throughout the year that truly define Ballet Arkansas, and we hope audiences continue to discover that magic well beyond the holiday season.
Ballet Arkansas has seen a significant shift toward community involvement over the past decade. Tell us about the decision to hold that as a guiding principle and what impact you’ve seen because of it.
Ballet Arkansas’ deep commitment to community involvement — especially through “The Nutcracker Spectacular” — has been tremendously impactful. It not only supports and engages our local community, but also opens doors for audiences to experience the beauty and diversity of dance. This outreach helps create lifelong participants, patrons, volunteers and advocates for the arts.
Over the past several years, our community cast involvement has grown significantly, both in size and in opportunity. We’ve seen record numbers of children from across the state audition and perform in our productions. Beyond that, the Ballet Arkansas School for Dance, which opened just three years ago, offers enrolled classes taught by our professional company members. Students gain invaluable instruction, performance experience and, most importantly, confidence that carries into every area of their lives.
It’s been inspiring to watch young dancers who once arrived timidly at auditions grow into confident performers who can command a stage in front of thousands. That transformation is what community involvement is all about. Dance truly has the power to change lives, and Ballet Arkansas is committed to ensuring that opportunity is accessible to as many people as possible.
The organization pays special attention to the balance of pushing boundaries while upholding what you’ve referred to as a “legacy of excellence.” How do you know when the balance is right?
At Ballet Arkansas, we don’t push boundaries simply for the sake of being different. Our goal is to make exceptional dance accessible and meaningful to everyone. That means introducing audiences to new, innovative works while honoring the classical traditions that define our legacy of excellence.
You can’t move forward without opening new doors, and culturally, that’s exactly what we’re doing — opening doors, inviting people to explore new perspectives and creating experiences that inspire and connect.
We know the balance is right when our programming sparks curiosity, fosters enthusiasm and deepens appreciation for the art form. When audiences rise to their feet, when they leave feeling moved or inspired, that’s when we know we’ve honored the past while embracing the future.
Ballet Arkansas’ season is just getting started, but what do you wish people knew about the “off-season?”
Even though our mainstage performances pause for a bit, there’s really no “off-season” at Ballet Arkansas. Our company artists, staff and board are hard at work year-round advancing our mission to bring world-class programming and dance education to communities across the state.
Our dancers continue to train and teach, our School for Dance stays active with classes and our summer intensive programs welcome talented young dancers from across the region. Behind the scenes, our board and staff are collaborating to strengthen the organization while our directors are busy planning future seasons, building partnerships and creating new opportunities to engage audiences.
In many ways, the off-season is when the foundation for everything we do on stage is built. It’s a time of growth, creativity and preparation for the magic audiences see when the curtain rises again.
You’ve personally gotten multiple loved ones involved with the dance company. What’s your pitch? And why is it important to you to share your passion with people directly?
I’m passionate about ballet, and I know a genuine, high-caliber organization when I see one. Ballet Arkansas is exactly that. Our dancers are extraordinarily talented, and our leadership, Michael and Catherine Fothergill, bring both artistic brilliance and deep dedication to everything they do. In truth, Ballet Arkansas sells itself. My role is really about building connections, introducing people and organizations to the company. Once they experience it firsthand, they immediately understand why Ballet Arkansas is such a treasure to our community and why it deserves support.
My passion grows even more when I see young dancers — some as young as five — audition for “The Nutcracker,” learn from professional artists and bravely step onto the stage. Over the past four years, I’ve watched hundreds of children benefit from these community cast opportunities. Each one discovers confidence, joy and a sense of accomplishment that they carry far beyond the studio. Watching that transformation is truly magical, and it’s what keeps my passion for Ballet Arkansas burning bright.
What do you love most about “The Nutcracker”?
I actually have three favorite parts of “The Nutcracker.” First, I love volunteering with the community cast rehearsals. It’s such a joy to help make sure the children are having a wonderful experience — learning, laughing and feeling part of something truly special. It takes an entire village of parents and caregivers to make it all run smoothly, and I love being part of that supportive community. Seeing everyone’s shared joy and dedication behind the scenes is incredibly rewarding.
Next, I’m continually inspired by our professional company dancers. Watching them rehearse and perform is a masterclass in artistry and commitment. They work tirelessly to perfect every movement, but what moves me most is how much of their own personality and heart they bring to the stage. You can truly feel their passion in every performance.
And finally, I love connecting with our patrons during “The Nutcracker Spectacular.” Hearing their stories, whether it’s their first time attending or a family tradition passed down through generations, is such a reminder of how meaningful this production is to so many. The joy and magic that fill the theater each year are absolutely palpable, and it’s a privilege to witness it all come together.
What show are you most excited about in the spring and why?
While I always love a classic storybook ballet like “Cinderella,” I’m especially excited about our upcoming performances of “Giselle” and “Icons.”
“Giselle” is one of the most beloved and frequently performed ballets in the world. Its story of love, betrayal, heartbreak and ultimately forgiveness is timeless and continues to move audiences everywhere. I can’t wait to see our company artists bring their artistry and emotion to this iconic production. It’s truly remarkable to have a ballet of this caliber presented on the main stage right here in central Arkansas.
I’m equally thrilled about “Icons”, a dynamic celebration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S.. This program honors the visionary choreographers who helped shape American dance and will feature an incredible lineup of masterworks including “Birthday Variations” by Gerald Arpino, “Within Without” by Andrea Schermoly and a world premiere by our executive and artistic director Michael Fothergill. There will also be a few exciting surprises announced in the new year, so stay tuned!
Together, these performances highlight the versatility, artistry and ambition of Ballet Arkansas, and I think audiences are in for a truly inspiring spring season.
“THE NUTCRACKER SPECTACULAR”
Dec. 12-14 | The Robinson Center
Info: balletarkansas.org
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