FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             Contact:

August 8, 2005                                                Cindy Reynolds, Communications Manager

                                                                       (714) 541-8314, ext. 19

Saint Joseph Ballet Inaugurates New Studio Theatre

            Santa Ana, CA, August 5 – Saint Joseph Ballet will inaugurate its new studio theatre August 19 and 20 with Up in the Open Box, a showcase of works by Saint Joseph Ballet student choreographers.  Performances are at 7:00pm and are open to the public, but reservations are required due to a limited seating capacity.  Please call (714) 541-8314 ext. 10 to reserve seats.

            This performance is the culmination of a five-week choreography workshop for upper division students and alumni taught by Saint Joseph Ballet’s new artistic director Melanie Rios Glaser with the assistance of faculty member Rebeca Ramos.  This first project by Rios Glaser as artistic director aims to encourage youth to draw on their artistic instincts and take ownership of their creative potential.  “To perform is to be witnessed, to share of oneself, and it contributes to our sense of who we are,” said Rios Glaser. 

             “The Studio Theatre is today a reality because Founder Beth Burns, an adventuresome dreamer, had the presence to envision how a theatrical space can celebrate, illuminate and enhance young people’s creative growth,” said Rios Glaser.  “It is fitting that the exciting opening of the studio theatre be an all kid-powered evening of dance.  In the future, students will have the opportunity to learn about lighting, costume design and production management which will give them first-hand experience in the collaborative process required to mount a production.”

            The studio theatre will further Saint Joseph Ballet’s ability to engage low-income youth in serious and progressive art-making while providing more opportunities for students to perform in front of a live public audience.  It will also serve as a venue for local residents to better experience Saint Joseph Ballet’s dance program and experience students’ achievements.  Rios Glaser said, “It is wonderful to be joining Saint Joseph Ballet at this time and get a boost from having this new performance space.  Through thoughtful programming, I envision Saint Joseph Ballet becoming a lively performance center contributing to the artistic health of our community.”

            A generous gift from Arts Orange County and the Orange County Community Foundation provided funding for the first year of programming for the studio theatre.  Planning for the new Studio Theatre began five years ago with guest lighting designer James F. Ingalls’ volunteering his experience.  Development of the space was overseen by Saint Joseph Ballet Artistic Manager Ben Tusher.  Thanks to a group of generous funders who supported a small campaign, work began in June to create the studio theatre within Saint Joseph Ballets two main dance studios.  This flexible theatre features a stage with a 30 foot wide opening, three sets of wings with options for a colored, white or black background, 160 lighting fixtures and 24 houselights.  A mechanical device blacks out the daylight from the clerestory windows to create a full theatrical experience.

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