The Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre has wanted to build a permanent home for the Ballet since being relocated to temporary quarters following the earthquake in 1989. The Tannery Arts Center, a multidiscipline home for the arts in Santa Cruz County will offer that opportunity. The Santa Cruz Ballet will build a ballet studio with three large dance studios, offices and support facilities.

About Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre

"The mission of Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre is to inspire the community and create opportunities for young artists through the advancement of the art of ballet."

Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to give dancers and choreographers an opportunity to express their talents and to cultivate ballet excellence within the Santa Cruz community.

Founded in 1978, Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre is comprised of a pre-professional company of dancers, ranging in ages from eight to twenty and chosen through open auditions annually. The company's Artistic Directors, Robert Kelley and Diane Cypher, have many years of experience as professional dancers, choreographers and directors. Their successful careers as dancers, both solo and together, make them enthusiastic teachers and inspired directors. Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre is a member of Regional Dance America and has been awarded the most prestigious status of "Honor Company" since it joined in 1990. Through Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre, hundreds of young dancers have learned the powerful role that dance plays in creating individual confidence and the discipline necessary for success as contributing members of society. The objective in choice of repertoire is to expand and build the level of technique and range of ability of the company dancers: from classical and contemporary to dramatic and modern works. The repertoire includes "Swan Lake Act II," "The Nutcracker," "Giselle" plus a wide range of works by contemporary and classical choreographers.