OUTREACH & COMMUNITY
With a mission to enrich our community through ballet education and performance, Portland Ballet reaches people of all background throughout Maine. If you or your organization are interested in partnering with PB, contact us today! Please have a look at our current programs below.
“The children gained a great appreciation of ballet as a performing art, and got to experience a stronger connection between their education and the world around them. This was an experience these first graders will never forget, as many were enthusiastic to try ballet in their future. Thank you for giving us this opportunity. ”
Community Ballet (Ages 7-12)
A Portland Ballet & Portland Youth Dance Collaboration
Community Ballet is a free group class for children ages 7-12. Funded by the Simmon’s Foundation, Portland Ballet and Portland Youth Dance have partnered to provide free beginner-level ballet classes to children in need in the Greater Portland area. Classes incorporate technique, stretching, musicality, and choreography.
Register today! Click the link HERE. Wednesdays 3:15pm-4:00pm.
Creative Movement at Portland Public Library (Ages 4-6)
Presented by Portland School of Ballet
Creative Movement at PPL is an introduction into classical ballet for young dancers ages 4-6. Students’ gross motor skills are engaged through creative expressive exercise with a focus on coordination. This 30-minute, drop-in style program takes place the first Saturday of every month from January-May 2024.
Please note: this series is designed by Portland School of Ballet specifically for children ages 4-6. Parents must stay for the duration of the class and are welcome to participate or just observe! Thank you for respecting the age range of this program.
10:30-11:00am on January 6, February 3, March 2, April 6, May 4. No pre-registration required.
Discover Dance Outreach
Portland Ballet comes to libraries, churches, and other community organizations for a 1-hour individualized program; This might be a showcase of excerpts from an upcoming production, a Q&A, a ballet class demonstration, a meet-and-greet with story ballet-characters, or a combination of the above. Contact us today for more information regarding outreach opportunities.
Creative Movement on Location
With dedicated teaching artists from Portland School of Ballet, we have offered free Creative Movement classes for 4-7 year olds at the Portland Public Library, South Portland Public Schools, the Boys and Girls Club, and at the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine.
Building Ballets Series
This innovative program mixes dance performance, lecture, and demonstration. Presented by Artistic Director Nell Shipman and the dancers of Portland School of Ballet, Building Ballets will walk the audience through the process of creating and performing a ballet. Building Ballets takes place annually in March - learn more!