Brand-new studio puts Philadelphia Ballet in the spotlight
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- It's a turning 'pointe' for the Philadelphia Ballet.
The company has been headquartered on North Broad Street since 2013, but the size of the studio space left much to be desired.
Previously, dancers were crammed in hallways, stepping over each other as they awaited their turn on a tiny floor.
But in 2018, plans started to formulate about a multi-million dollar expansion.
Over the past 8 years, the Philadelphia Ballet has acquired $36 million for the massive project. CEO Shelly Power says two thirds of that money came from private donations, while the rest came from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Construction lasted from 2024 to 2026. When all is said and done, the project will cost around $50 million - a number they are still fundraising to reach.
Now, the new Center for Dance building has dedicated spaces such as a Dance Innovation Lab, physical therapy room, music room, classrooms, and more. Plus, there is a dedicated room for shoes and wardrobe respectively.
The cherry on top is the Petipa Studio, whose towering windows overlook Broad Street and whose floor is the size of the stage at the Academy of Music.
Guests are invited to a weekend of grand opening festivities, featuring a Spotlight Soirée and Gala on Thursday, September 17, a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, September 18, and an Open House and Community Celebration Saturday, September 19.
Watch the video above for a tour of the new studio space. And for more information, visit their website.
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