Check Out Tacoma City Ballet- It’s Not Your Mother’s Ballet!

The Tacoma City Ballet (TCB) is a gem of a dance company that makes its home in the grand ballroom – a kind of sun-filled cloister – at the Merlino Art Center, above the Grand Cinema. Who knew? TCB will be presenting Spring Dance Extravaganza, seven original and dynamic dance works spanning traditional and contemporary styles, at Theatre on the Square, April 20-22. After attending a recent TCB Choreographers’ Talk and dance preview by Artistic Director Erin Ceragioli, Resident Choreographer Travis Goldman and Assistant Artistic Director Joel Myers, I honestly can’t wait.

Practice makes perfect at TCB. Young ballerinas watch from the sidelines. Photo courtesy of TCB.

The spring showcase features TCB’s terrifically versatile dancers in an eclectic repertoire accompanied by live music. Erin Ceragioli (that’s “Miss Erin” to you) has forged a reputation for innovative choreography and has had seven original ballets chosen for performance at Regional Dance America/Pacific festivals. She brings to the company her mastery of the classical ballet of five international schools through years of study with many world-renowned artists and master teachers. The 2011-2012 season marks Miss Erin’s 25th year with Tacoma City Ballet. We chatted with her via e-mail about the upcoming Spring Extravaganza – which is definitely not your mother’s ballet! Congratulations, Miss Erin and TCB!

Spaceworks Tacoma: Hi Miss Erin. As a non-dancer, I have to say that every time someone rises en pointe without breaking a toe I am still filled with wonder. Do you remember the first time you stood on your toes?

Erin Ceragioli: I was eleven years old, but I don’t remember what I felt at the time. That was a while ago!

ST: At a recent choreographers’ talk you gave with Joel Myers and Travis Goldman, dancers performed three tantalizing excerpts from Spring Dance Extravaganza. I think audiences will be surprised by the range of original dance being performed by TCB.

EC: I think they’ll be surprised as well – I’m not sure that Tacoma really knows what Tacoma City Ballet can offer aside from The Nutcracker!