In the past, Ballet Yuma presented special school performances of The Nutcracker and Snow White – The Ballet. We have also offered the visually stunning production of Hansel and Gretel, the fun and wacky Ballet de Seuss and our newest work for children, A Young Person’s Guide to the Ballet and Orchestra. In doing so, thousands of area students have been introduced to quality performing arts in a theater setting and all the possibilities that come with creativity and a dedication to excellence.
Unfortunately, the Yuma Union High School District administration and school board have decided to no longer allow us to use Snider Auditorium for morning performances while Yuma HS students are on campus. They feel that to allow outside elementary students, teachers, chaperones and Ballet Yuma dancers/staff on campus is a security risk to the Yuma HS students and staff and disrupts the learning process.
We are saddened that after almost 30 years of providing morning school shows at Snider Auditorium, Ballet Yuma will no longer be allowed to offer its full production of Nutcracker or spring storybook ballets to our youth. For many of these children, it was the only opportunity to experience a full theatrical production. We will continue to work with the YUHSD on a compromise and hope to be able to resume this project in the future.
We will still be offering our in-school mini productions of Peter & the Wolf when possible, along with our grant funded classroom project for select schools throughout the year. If you are interested in having Ballet Yuma give your students a window into the art of ballet, contact Alexandria Urias at admin-assistant@balletyuma.org.
We have also partnered with the Special Olympics and offer free ballet classes supported by grants.
Contact Alex Urias at admin-assistant@balletyuma.org for more information on available outreach opportunities for your school.
“Arts education aids students in skills needed in the workplace: flexibility, the ability to solve problems and communicate, the ability to learn new skills, to be creative and innovative, and to strive for excellence.” – Joseph M. Calahan, Director of Cooperate Communications, Xerox Corporation
