TWB Annual Report 2021/22

NOTES FROM LEADERSHIP

The 2021–2022 season was an exciting one for The Washington Ballet and our community. Successfully navigating challenges, we returned to the thrill of live performance, sharing the talents of our brilliant artists with eager and receptive audiences...we are truly grateful.

Our performances at the Warner Theatre, the Kennedy Center, and Sidney Harman Hall, as well as memorable events at the White House, Capital One Hall, and CityCenterDC all reflected the passion and purpose of our entire organizaton.

From the sensational Season Opening at the Building Museum, the sold-out world premiere of our exquisite Swan Lake at the Kennedy Center, and the transcendent return of Giselle to the visionary new works presented during NEXTsteps and, of course, our much-loved production of The Nutcracker, our 2021–2022 Season of Gratitude was everything we dreamed of and more.

The palpable excitement of the importance and impact of our work in our community, and beyond, is being seen and felt.

We are taking great strides because of you and your belief in The Washington Ballet and the transformative power of dance. As we move into the 2022–2023 season with great enthusiasm and determination, we are looking forward to sharing our art with you!

On behalf of The Washington Ballet, thank you for your support throughout the 2021–2022 season.

The Washington Ballet took the opportunity this year to reflect on what it means to be the ballet company in and of the nation’s capital. Our commitment to the city dates back 78 years, to the founding of The Washington School of Ballet. As a founding member of THEARC in Ward 8 nearly 20 years ago, we cemented our commitment to serving the community where we live and we remain the only ballet company with a campus dedicated to serving a low-income community. Through events like Dance for All, TWB welcomes people of all ages, in all corners of the city, to join with us.

We are particularly proud of our revamped scholarship program, which Dr. Jill Biden helped us to launch in May 2022. Through these scholarships, TWB is reaching more deeply into our communities than ever before, removing barriers so that young people, regardless of background, can experience the transformative power of dance study.

Our beloved dancers and the beauty they bring to our stage is but one component of our work. As the company evolves, we are more aware than ever of the vital role that TWB must fulfill within our community.

As you will see throughout this report, it was a season of highlight after highlight, and it was all possible thanks to our generous supporters.

Managing Director

Patrick Mühlen-Schulte,

Julie Kent, Artistic Director

Photo by xmbphotography

Photo by Tony Powell

BUILDING

1,500+ students attended TWB’s NW & SE campuses

by Nosrat Tarighi

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Brett Ishida: home-coming

Tamás Krisza: Moonlight

Jessica Lang: Beethoven Serenade

Andile Ndlovu: B1

Mthuthuzeli November: Where Do We Go Now

Stanton Welch: liminal

12 DanceDC Merit Scholarships totaling $20,400 Enrollment fees waived for all returning students and THEARC partners

3 performances by TWB dancers at the White House at the invitation of First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden

30 magical performances of The Nutcracker with 100 dancers $300,000 in scholarships/assistance to 199 students 86% of students at THEARC receive sliding scale tuition

$1.4 million annual investment in SE Campus and Community

Photo by Albert Ting

DANCE FOR ALL

As the most visible of TWB’s community engagement efforts, Dance for All helps to fulfill the part of our mission to make ballet accessible and to give back to our community.

This year, we provided free experiences across DC, from dancer demonstrations and presentations at the Sakura Matsuri Festival to collaborative learning events for youth at the Hirshhorn Museum and Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and performances by company dancers at CityCenterDC.

In addition, there were dance classes for children at TWSB campuses in NW and SE as well as free adult fitness classes at Capital One Hall in Tysons Corner, VA and the Yards Park at Capitol Riverfront.

DANCEDC

Our DanceDC arts integration program continues to provide in-school workshops and residencies to Pre-K through 12th grade students in DC Public Schools and Prince George’s County Public Schools. Guided by the National Core Arts Standards for Dance and serving as a complement to school curriculum needs, the growing program integrates creative movement and dance into core subject classes including reading, math, and science to improve students’ academic achievement.

THE WASHINGTON BALLET SCHOLARSHIP INITIATIVE

The Washington Ballet Scholarship Initiative is part of our commitment to creating pipelines and pathways for young people of all backgrounds to succeed in school, in dance, and in life.

Through bold, innovative, and inclusive programs, TWSB is a national model for equity in ballet training.

Launched in Spring 2022 with the help of Dr. Jill Biden, the newly enhanced, needs-based scholarship program awards more than $300,000 each year, thoughtfully and strategically investing in students and families to maximize artistic and social impact.

TWB's Julie Kent hosted a book talk with Lauri Fitz-Pegado, co-founder of The Collective and author of the memoir

FOSTERING CONNECTIONS

In the fall, TWB hosted an exclusive book talk and signing with Lauri Fitz-Pegado, whose new book Dancing in the Dash explores how ballet training in a segregated Washington, DC in the 1960s shaped her life and her careers, first as a professional ballet dancer and then as a career diplomat. Ms. Fitz-Pegado is the founder of The Collective, a group of black ballet teachers from District dance schools who collaborate to support each other and the next generation of dancers of color. TWB is a contributing member of The Collective, sharing space in master classes and for performances.

IN OUR COMMUNITIES & IN OUR SCHOOLS

“I’m so grateful that The Washington Ballet is committed to providing support to students from all backgrounds.”

—Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States

“This was marvelous. I really hope you guys do it again.”

Dancing in the Dash

Photo by Tony Powell

CITY-WIDE IMPACT

The Washington Ballet is proud to be the ballet in and of the nation’s capital. Our reach throughout the DMV demonstrates our intentional focus on community impact.

Thanks to your continued support, we provided opportunities across DC and in much of the surrounding region.

WARD 3

Dance for All: Free classes for adults and children at NW campus

The Washington School of Ballet Northwest Campus: 1,089 students (FY22)

WARD 2

Dance for All: Free community events and performances at the Hirshhorn Museum and CityCenterDC

WARD 1

Dance for All Free Discussion and Family Class/Performance at Capitol Stage as part of the Sakura Matsuri Festival

4 1 3 2 8

5

WARD 5

KIPP DC Connect Academy 10-week DanceDC Residency for Pre-K and K

Screenings of TWB’s The Nutcracker and a virtual Storytime movement class at Children’s National Hospital

WARD

WARD 6

Dance for All: Free Barre and Brunch Fitness Class at the Capitol Riverfront DanceDC residencies at 4 schools

6 7

WARD

7

Dance for All: Free Children’s Movement Class at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

DanceDC residencies at 5 schools

FAIRFAX COUNTY

Dance for All: Free events at Capital One Hall including an evening “Bar at the Barre” fitness class and a Saturday morning Family Storytime and movement class.

8

Southeast Campus at THEARC: 373 students (FY22)

DanceDC residencies at 6 schools

Nearly 100 total SE campus students performed in mainstage productions as well as for First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to launch our Scholarship Initiative

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

793 middle and high school students reached during 48 master classes and 1 residency

2021–2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jean-Marie Fernandez, Chair

Luanne Adams

Britt Biles

Jamie Boucher

Jane R. Cafritz

Evonne Connolly

Sylvia A. de Leon

Charles DeSantis

David DeSantis

John Estes III

Emilia Ferrara

James Gale

Michael Goldstein

Heather Hughes

Elizabeth Keeley

Dianne Keppler

Janice Kim Sara Lange Eric Larsen

Hanane Lemlih

Eve A. Lilley

Timothy R. Lowery

Joan McCarthy

Dorothy Pierce McSweeny

Michelle Montes

Michael Olding

Barbara Rothkopf

Martha Schwieters

Yolanda Scott Deborah Sigmund

Jennifer Tulumello

Patricia Wu Lowell Yoder

2021–2022 SEASON SPONSORS

The Washington Ballet extends its deep gratitude to Dr. Luanne Adams and Murrell Smith, Virginia McGehee Friend, Eve Lilley, Jacqueline B. Mars, Norah and James Orphanides, Barbara Rothkopf, and Anna Marie Parisi-Trone and Robert Trone for their generous season support.

2021–2022 DANCER SPONSORS

The Washington Ballet further recognizes David and Sandra Berler, The Honorable Ann Brown, Celina and Mark Emery, Jody Katz and Jeffrey Gibbs, Betsy and Mike Keeley, Dianne and John Keppler, James Smailes and Susan Gehring, and Toni Stifano and Marc Walton for investing in our talented company members.

2021–2022 BOARD OF AMBASSADORS

Thank you to our Board of Ambassadors for your counsel and leadership in spreading the joy of dance to all corners of the District.

Lisa Barry, Chair

Christopher Boutlier, Staci Capuano, Debra Dunn, Glenda Harvey, Kay Kendall, Beth Kohlhoss, Mary Mochary, JJ Ong, Rachel Pearson, Lorraine Riffle Caron, Mary Slimp, Annie Totah, and Kara Yoo Leaman

2021–2022 INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS

Thank you to our generous partners: Fight for Children, Joseph E. Robert, Jr. Charitable Trust, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Fowler Memorial Foundation, The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, Shubert Foundation, Dallas Morse Coors Foundation for the Performing Arts, Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation, Share Fund, The DeLaski Family Foundation, Harman Family Foundation, Hattie M. Strong Foundation, The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, Inc., Morningstar Foundation, Crowell & Moring Foundation, Dimick Foundation, Nora Roberts Foundation, Capitol Hill Community Foundation, Lorraine S. Dreyfuss Theatre Education Fund, Marshall B. Coyne Foundation, Boeing, Booz Allen Hamilton, GEICO, Pepco, Leidos, Dr. Scholl Foundation, Bloomingdales / Macy’s Corp, Capital One, U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs

Thank you to all members of the Balletomane Society Friends of TWB TWSB Family Giving Circle, and Jeté Society for your support.

Photo by

Front Cover: TWB artists Tamako Miyazaki and Daniel Roberge pose at CityCenterDC. Photo by Joy Asico

Back Cover: TWB Swan Lake Corps. Photo by xmbphotography