By Natalie Garrett | Photos courtesy of Gwinnett Ballet Theatre
Roots of Passion
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, Gwinnett County’s first performing nonprofit organization, was established in 1977 by Lynne Snipes who ignited a mission that still stands strong today. Her continued legacy is twofold: to provide aspiring dancers with essential training and performance experience for their professional careers, and to enrich the community through entertainment, outreach, and education. In her two decades of leadership, Lynne successfully accomplished that vision by nurturing a team of remarkable talent and building a foundation for Gwinnett Ballet Theatre to thrive as a distinguished performance company and school.
To fill her extraordinary shoes, Lisa Sheppard Robinson stepped up to inspire others for an impressive 14-year tenure, followed by Jaime Robtison, Wade Walthall, and Angela Harris. This era of guidance fostered an additional two decades of growth and cultivation as Gwinnett Ballet Theatre produced a number of noteworthy professionals. These artists curated their skills and progressed their ambitions into careers, enabling them to showcase GBT’s reputation of excellence on multiple stages across the country.
Proven Perseverance
In 2020, Gwinnett Ballet Theatre welcomed their current Artistic Director, Lori Zamzow-Wire. Lori brought with her not only a lifelong passion for dance, but extensive teaching and choreography experience that has expanded the program’s potential even further. Over the past four years of Lori’s transformative influence, Gwinnett Ballet Theatre has flourished, as evidenced by their roster of 18 professional company members and extensive production calendar. Within just one year of officially acquiring the title of a professional institution, GBT received more than 200 applications from dancers around the globe all vying for a professional company contract. An ode to the company’s original mission, they’re proud to attract new talent to the area and continue to offer opportunities for dancers to pursue their passion professionally.
After only four seasons, Gwinnett Ballet Theatre has been ranked by the Dance Data Project as one of the top 150 largest classical ballet companies in the United States. A distinct honor, Lori shared how thrilled she was to announce this accolade: “This recognition is not only a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible dancers and staff, but also to the unwavering support we’ve received from our community. As we celebrate this milestone, we are already setting our sights higher with the goal of breaking into the top 100. With continued support and engagement from our community, I am confident that we will achieve this and continue to bring exceptional ballet performances to our audiences.”
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre will enter their fifth season continuing to represent Gwinnett County as the only professional, nonprofit ballet company, and luckily for us – remains committed to celebrating the beauty of dance. They are located at the Sugarloaf Performing Arts Center in Suwanee, which exists as the largest location for dance instruction in Gwinnett County. Reaching beyond the professional level, the Sugarloaf Performing Arts Center also houses a dance instruction school, a youth ballet company, and a daytime ballet conservatory.
This Season’s Anticipated Performances
Through an immeasurable amount of dedication and devotion, it’s undeniable that the team behind Gwinnett Ballet Theatre pours their heart and soul into each and every endeavor. With three major shows, plus a series of smaller performances, the company and crew is once again gearing up for another spectacular season.
New this year, Gwinnett Ballet Theatre is excited to enter a pivotal partnership with Gas South District that positions them as the professional ballet company in residence at Gas South District’s Theater. In the spirit of opening new chapters, GBT will also introduce the inaugural season pass. These passes will enable patrons to secure their preferred seats in advance, ensuring their most dedicated supporters the magic of ballet all season long from their favorite vantage point at the prestigious Gas South Theater.
For more information about Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, their upcoming season, or sponsorship/season pass opportunities, visit GwinnettBallet.org or call 770-237-0046.
Mark your calendar for an unforgettable adventure of experiencing the phenomenal sights and sounds of GBT’s 2024 – 2025 lineup:
Annual Director’s Gala Hudgens Center for the Arts Saturday, September 7th | 7:00 PM
Dracula Gas South Theater Friday, October 18th | 7:30 PM Sunday, October 20th | 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
The Nutcracker Gas South Theater Friday - Sunday, December 13 - 15 Thursday - Sunday, December 19 - 22
Firebird Gas South Theater Saturday, March 1st | 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM Sunday, March 2nd | 2:30 PM
EMERGE Sugarloaf Performing Arts Center Friday, April 25th | 7:00 PM Saturday, April 26th | 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
