The School of American Ballet kicked off its 75th anniversary Wednesday night at the first in a series of galas and fetes planned for 2009. Held at Lincoln Center's newly renamed David H. Koch Theater, the event gathered the school's board of directors and sister company the New York City Ballet for a special performance and dinner.
Of course, the organization knew this landmark occasion was coming, and the school's administrators worked over the course of a year to stage a tribute of exhibits, galas, classes, and more. What they couldn't anticipate was the grim economic climate this year would bring. But as the school's executive director, Marjorie Van Dercook, pointed out, the organization had at least two things going for it as it headed into the yearlong program: advance planning and an already lean operating procedure.
"Our sponsors we happily secured last year," she said. "And we've always been sensitive to costs because we're a small organization." In fact, Van Dercook proudly explained that the school put together the roster of events without adding any staff. "We did it all in house. ... Everyone participated: the faculty, the pianists, the administrative staff. We layered it on top of everything we already do."
And the kickoff event, while minimal, still incorporated elegant decor that included deep purple linens, silver chairs and seat cushions, and Teleflora arrangements of calla lilies, hydrangeas, and roses.
Additional celebratory events to be held throughout the year include the school's annual Winter Ball on March 9; "Full Circle: From the School of American Ballet to New York City Ballet and Back," a photo exhibit at the David H. Koch Theater; a free master class at Symphony Space on February 14; and lectures and demonstrations in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens.
