As we wrap up the 2021-2022 season at Mobile Ballet, we want to take a moment to reflect on this amazing year, and to thank you for the role you play in making it possible.

This season has been remarkable in so many ways. Coming out of two years of pandemic and all the associated challenges, we are so grateful to see sold out shows at theaters filled with diverse and enthusiastic audiences of all ages, and studios full of eager and talented dancers.

Mobile Ballet fills an important role in the state as the premier classical ballet school and performing company in south Alabama, providing world class performances for the community, impactful outreach programs, and the highest quality dance training from beginner to pre-professional. We are happy to be able to share the beautiful artform of dance with generations of dancers and patrons in our community.

Our work is deeply rewarding because of you - our supporters, students, families, audiences, partners, volunteers, and community truly bring the meaning of our mission into focus and make us LOVE what we do!

We thank you for being a part of the past season, and we invite you to join us for our upcoming 35th Anniversary... stay tuned for an exciting new 2022-2023 Season!

An Up-Close Look at the 2021-2022 Season

2021-2022 Season Performances

Mobile Ballet was able to directly impact 11,000 people through our performances and programs this season, with phenomenal audience response and community support.

The premiere of The Princess and the Frog wowed audiences at sold-out performances at the Saenger Theater. Katia Garza's vision of this magical story came to life through collaboration with The PACT Theater Company in a unique adaptation made just for Mobile, combining dancing, singing, and inventive video projections. This audience favorite also featured the first African American Mobile Ballet Company dancer to take the lead role in a Mobile Ballet production. Along with record-breaking ticket sales, this historic and heartwarming show received overwhelming praise from first time audience members and long-time patrons alike.

The Nutcracker also brought nearly sold-out shows at the Mobile Civic Center Theater in December, with special guest Mobile Ballet alumna Kathryn Morgan returning to her home stage to dance the role of Sugarplum Fairy. Audiences raved about the stellar performance, with over 100 Mobile Ballet students getting the opportunity to perform onstage with incredible professional guest artists.

Peter Pan in March delighted audiences with another of Katia Garza's original productions, which also featured live symphony music accompanying Mobile Ballet dancers. Acclaimed composer, David Ott, created the musical score especially for this ballet, and conducted the ensemble of local musicians playing live during the performance. This fun production closed out our 2021-2022 season on a high note, with patrons enjoying the perfect mix of entertainment and artistry.

Mobile Ballet School &

Mobile Ballet Company

At the Mobile Ballet School in Mobile and Daphne, our dedicated faculty trained 250 students this school year from age 3 to adult. Our knowledgeable and caring instructors guide students in their individual dance training, from a very first beginning dance lesson to pre-professional career preparation, and all levels in between.

The auditioned Mobile Ballet Company this season consisted of 40 dancers. These committed dancers trained many hours each week at the Mobile Ballet studios in Mobile and Daphne, and performed in Mobile Ballet productions and at other events.

Mobile Ballet Company dancers were selected to perform in the New Works Concert and the Alabama Dance Showcase at the Alabama Dance Festival in January, presented by the Alabama Dance Council in Birmingham. Artistic Director Katia Garza also awarded scholarships for summer study at Mobile Ballet to talented dancers at the Festival from other schools around the state.

Thirteen advanced level students had the opportunity to compete with dancers from around the country at the Youth America Grand Prix Semi-Finals in Winston-Salem in February, receiving top awards in Ensemble, Classical, and Contemporary categories, along with an invitation to compete at national finals.

Mobile Ballet students in all class levels performed at the year-end Showcase in May at Davidson High School auditorium, demonstrating their progress gained during the 2021-2022 school year. Showcase is always a wonderful experience for families to get to see what their dancers have learned, and is also a bittersweet time to celebrate our graduating seniors as they embark on the next step in their journeys.

Several advanced students are attending auditioned programs this summer at prestigious schools throughout the country, including School of American Ballet at NYC Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, Chautauqua School of Dance, Ballet West, Cary Ballet Conservatory, Gus Giordano Dance School, Oklahoma City Ballet, Ballet Magnificat, and others.

June has been a busy month with over 100 students in fun and engaging Summer Camps, and 75 dancers advancing their training at the Mobile Ballet Summer Intensive with esteemed guest instructors from around the country. Open Classes and Adult Classes continue through the summer.

Registration for 2022-2023 Classes is currently underway, and fall classes will begin August 15th.

In response to increased demand, warehouse space at the Mobile Studio is being renovated into a 5th studio, which will be in use for the new school year. This expanded studio space along with additional faculty will allow us to offer more class availability and serve more students with better student-teacher ratio. We're happy to also be adding new ballet classes for Teen & Adult Beginners to the schedule.

Encourage an aspiring dancer you know -- beginner, advanced, or adult -- to come try a class at Mobile Ballet!

Discover Dance & Educational Outreach Programs

With our Discover Dance program, 2,500 K-12 public school, private school, and homeschool students were able to attend theater performances of The Princess and the Frog, The Nutcracker, and Peter Pan. Thanks to grant funding, over 500 of theses students had the opportunity to attend a performance at the theater at no cost.

The Discover Dance program was made possible this season through generous funding from the Mobile County Commission, The Community Foundation, The J.L. Bedsole Foundation, Mobile Arts Council's Community Arts Grant, and other contributors.

Although in-person field trip numbers were still limited this year due to Covid, a Virtual Field Trip was also available through partnership with Mobile County Public Schools, offering thousands of students and their families the opportunity to view performances on MCPSSTV online and local cable access channels.

At our new Pancakes & Pajamas with Clara event held the week prior to The Nutcracker, 160 children and parents visited the Mobile Ballet Studio for an immersive behind-the-scenes experience of the The Nutcracker story, and a fun interactive introduction to ballet. We were happy to welcome friends from Light of the Village and Boys & Girls Clubs to experience this special event.

Prior to the Peter Pan production in March, our Peter Pan Tea was held at the Eastern Shore Art Center in Fairhope, with 150 attendees getting to interact with dancers, see an excerpt of choreography from the show, and hear the Peter Pan story. Friends from Boys & Girls Club Foley, Fairhope Rotary Youth Club, and Kinderkids First Class Pre-K joined us for this fun day.

We are thrilled to provide several special educational outreach programs this summer in collaboration with area organizations:

Washington County Public Library Summer Reading Program, Orchard Elementary School Summer Reading Camp, Boys & Girls Clubs of South Alabama "Day of Dance" at Mobile Ballet Studio, and Dumas Wesley Community Center’s Summer Recreation Program.

Make a Discover Dance field trip reservation

Special Events & Community Engagement

Mobile Ballet friends celebrated the premiere of The Princess and the Frog in October at our Jazzy Sunday with Mobile Ballet fundraiser at Mobile Carnival Museum, complete with beignets and a live jazz band.

Mobile Ballet Company dancers and staff participated in LoDa Artwalk and ArtSoup in downtown Mobile. Our Eastern Shore students, faculty, and parents participated in Fairhope First Friday Artwalk and in the Fairhope Christmas Parade.

Our Artistic Director and Ballet Master were invited to perform at the very first Mobile Latin Fest during LoDa Artwalk in Cathedral Square.

We were honored to have dancers perform again this year at The Artys awards event presented by Mobile Arts Council.

Mobile Ballet received Lagniappe Readers' Choice Nappie Award for Best Dance Studio in 2021 (as well as in 2018 and 2019).

We were proud to receive coverage this season in local media on Studio10/Fox10, NBC 15, WKRG, 92ZEW, Alabama Public Radio, and in Access Magazine, Mobile Bay Monthly, The Lagniappe, Scout Guide, The Mobile Rundown Do Some Good Magazine, and other publications.

Mobile Ballet's Artistic Director, Katia Garza, was also featured in the national publication Pointe Magazine in December.

The Relevé Project

The Relevé Project was established in 2021, for specially designated donations and fundraising efforts to go towards a tuition assistance fund for dancers in need. The Relevé Project will help to reduce the financial burdens that prevent children from accessing dance training, expanding opportunities and reducing barriers for children in our community.

In the 2021-2022 season, $10,000 was raised for the Relevé Project through events presented by the Mobile Ballet Barre volunteer association as well as designated corporate and individual contributions.

Donate to The Relevé Project

Your Support Keeps Us on Our Toes

Thank You!

Mobile Ballet has been an integral part of the Mobile arts community for 35 years, providing quality productions, excellent outreach programs, and superior dance instruction. Generations of audiences, students, and donors have contributed to our long term success.

We are grateful and honored to receive operating support from Alabama State Council on the Arts, the City of Mobile, and Mobile County Commission, along with grants, sponsorships, and contributions from many foundations, businesses, and individuals.

There are many ways to show support -- whether making a donation, buying tickets, volunteering, or following our social media, any way you choose to support Mobile Ballet is appreciated.

As we set our sights on the future, we hope to have your continued support for our 35th Anniversary season and beyond.

Community support is what makes our work possible. We applaud you for the part you play in Mobile Ballet!

Thank you!

Interested in donating to Mobile Ballet or sponsoring our upcoming season?

Learn more at www.MobileBallet.org/support.

Support Mobile Ballet's 35th Season

Join Us in Celebrating Mobile Ballet's

35th Anniversary Season!

As we close out 2021-2022 and embark on the year ahead, we thank you for the invaluable part you play in our success, and we invite you to join us in celebrating the past, present, and future in our 35th Anniversary Season!

Visit www.MobileBallet.org for information on our upcoming 2022-2023 performances. Tickets on sale soon!

We'll see you at the theater!

www.mobileballet.org | info@mobileballet.org | 251-342-2241