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The History of LakeCities Ballet Theatre
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Performing The Beauty and Drama of Classical Dance Since 1984
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The evolution of LakeCities Ballet Theatre, a not-for-profit organization, has had many significant milestones. First
chartered as Lewisville Dance Ensemble in 1984, the company's purpose was to provide a performing outlet for local dancers and dance students. During
the 1989-90 season, charter dance member, Kelly Kilburn-Lannin assumed the position of Artistic Director and
dedicated herself to taking the company to a professional level that would in turn bring recognition to the community
through the arts. To celebrate the growth of the organization from a small ensemble to a ballet company with full-length
productions, the company name was changed to LakeCities Ballet Theatre as it now encompassed dancers and audiences from
not only Lewisville, but Flower Mound, Highland Village, Lake Dallas, Denton, Coppell and the surrounding areas of
Lake Lewisville.
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In 1991, LakeCities Ballet Theatre's introduced its first major production of The Nutcracker choreographed by
Ms. Lannin and supported by an enthusiastic Board of Directors dedicated to bringing this new production to the
stage. LBT's production of The Nutcracker was quickly recognized as a potential star in the local arts community by
the Greater Lewisville Arts Council and the City of Lewisville. In 1992, Ms. Lannin collaborated with Maestro
Adron Ming to incorporate the Lewisville Lake Symphony making LBT's production the first regional company in the
metroplex to boast a live, professional orchestra! To this day, LBT is one of the few companies committed to using
a live orchestra each year.
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Before long, this small company made up primarily of student dancers began to attract favorable
notice from not only area dance critics, but also from international guest artists such as Damian Woetzel, Wendy Whelan,
Jennifer Ringer, and Miranda Weese from New York City Ballet, and Julie Kent, Paloma Herrera, and Marcello Gomes from
American Ballet Theatre.
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Dancers from the company have gone on to dance professionally and to receive major accolades and awards because of
the training and performing experience they received as members of LakeCities Ballet Theatre.
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