END OF AN ERA

Trace Dorman Retires as Head of the Ballet Theatre Company

By Brianna Dunlap

Tracy Dorman was involved with West Hartford-based Ballet Theatre Company since its inception more than two decades ago. Now, the Company’s wellrespected executive director is retiring.

Known as “Miss Tracy” by thousands of students, Tracy has presidedover the last 17 years as the executive director. She will leave behind a legacy of leadership and advocacy that has had a significant impact on the lives of countless young ballet dancers and professional dancers alike.

Tracy Dorman has been with Ballet Theatre Company since its inception in 1999 and was appointed executive director in February 2005. She is a founding member of the Board of Directors and played a major role in the Company’s artistic and organizational development.

Tracy is most known for her nearly six decades of experience in costuming theater and dance productions. Mostly self-taught, her first foray into costuming came while she was still in high school when children’s theater company pressed her into service for their production of “Snow White.”

For the first five years of Ballet Theatre Company, she was the sole designer and costumer for all of the company’s performances, working with only a small crew of volunteers.

For the past 21 years, Tracy has contributed to Ballet Theatre Company’s costume repertoire with her extraordinary designs. From alterations to creating tutus from scratch, her costumes radiate on stage season after season. When asked how many costumes she has created for BTC, Tracy replied, “Too many to count – literally hundreds. There’s at least 30 classic tutus alone behind the office.”

Tracy is a 2014 honoree of the CT Dance Alliance Award for distinguished achievement in dance. In 2005, the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism awarded her the Distinguished Advocacy Award for her longtime volunteerism in the arts.

What you may not know about Tracy Dorman – she is a photographer, world traveler, and dog lover.

Tracy has visited every continent, where she has engaged in her second love — photographing wildlife. Tracy has photographed an African Safari, the Galapagos Islands, and brown bears in Katmai, Alaska. She has done more than one polar bear trip, seen Harp seals in the gulf of Saint Lawrence, and photographed birds in Costa Rica and the Pantanal of Brazil.

Now retired, when she has the time (and isn’t traipsing all over the world!) attract continues to help with tutu costumes for BTC’s productions.

“We have been exceptionally proud and fortunate to have a person of Tracy’s caliber, possessed with such passion for ballet, commitment to the organization, and a true skill in costumemaking,” says BTC Chair Eric Brummitt. “During her time with BTC, Tracy was the kind of collaborator you always hope to work with. She’s done transformational work in growing BTC into this rich community, and she leaves an enormous legacy for us to carry forward.”

In Tracy’s honor, BTC will launch a student scholarship fund to support the dreams of young ballet dancers. Card wishing Tracy Dorman well in her retirement may be mailed to Ballet Theatre Company, 20 Jefferson Avenue #7, West Hartford, CT 06110.

Tracy Dorman (with bouquet of flowers) has retired as executive director of Ballet Theatre Company. (Courtesy)

Tracy Dorman adjusts a costume. (Courtesy)

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30 I Vol. 12, No. 1, 2022 west hartford magazine

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