About ORCBA
Organized in 1963, the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association (ORCBA) holds the longest existing dance charter in the state of Tennessee. ORCBA is a nonprofit community arts organization dedicated to the education and production of Ballet Arts. ORCBA is designed to stimulate a wider appreciation of dance, develop local dance talent, and bring quality professional performances to Oak Ridge and the surrounding communities.
The organization supports dancers ages 6 + who have successfully auditioned for the productions and are taking additional training at recognized area dance schools. Participation in the productions provides the developing artist with an opportunity for group study in technical skills and ensemble performance, while also enabling the community to enjoy their talents at annual performances.
Utilizing professional costumes and sets, the semi-annual productions provide area dancers the opportunity to polish their skills and the opportunity to interact with professional dancers from across the country. ORCBA sponsors two major productions each year which provide area dance students an opportunity to perform and to grow professionally with sound technical training. These full-length productions offer students challenging roles normally performed by professional dancers in many companies.
ORCBA does not maintain a standing company of dancers, instead each production is cast from open auditions held from all interested dancers from Anderson, Roane, Knox, and the surrounding counties.
Since its beginning in 1963, ORCBA has achieved a loyal following of patrons who provide an appreciative audience for whom the students perform. Internationally renowned talents Joan Kunsch, Anna-Marie Holmes, David Holmes, Cristian Addams, Greg Larson, Eda Krasova, Mika Yoshida, and now Molly Quist have served as ORCBA artistic directors. While classical ballet is the primary form, modern, character, and ethnic dance have also shared the ORCBA stage.
ORCBA stands alone among area dance companies in its long history of presenting full length classical ballets. Throughout our history, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Masquerade, La Sylphide, Paquita, Don Quixote, La Bayadere, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Firebird, La Fille Mal Garde, and of course, The Nutcracker, have all been performed by ORCBA. New and original productions of ballets like Peter and the Wolf and The Ugly Duckling have become audience favorites as well.
The organization supports dancers ages 6 + who have successfully auditioned for the productions and are taking additional training at recognized area dance schools. Participation in the productions provides the developing artist with an opportunity for group study in technical skills and ensemble performance, while also enabling the community to enjoy their talents at annual performances.
Utilizing professional costumes and sets, the semi-annual productions provide area dancers the opportunity to polish their skills and the opportunity to interact with professional dancers from across the country. ORCBA sponsors two major productions each year which provide area dance students an opportunity to perform and to grow professionally with sound technical training. These full-length productions offer students challenging roles normally performed by professional dancers in many companies.
ORCBA does not maintain a standing company of dancers, instead each production is cast from open auditions held from all interested dancers from Anderson, Roane, Knox, and the surrounding counties.
Since its beginning in 1963, ORCBA has achieved a loyal following of patrons who provide an appreciative audience for whom the students perform. Internationally renowned talents Joan Kunsch, Anna-Marie Holmes, David Holmes, Cristian Addams, Greg Larson, Eda Krasova, Mika Yoshida, and now Molly Quist have served as ORCBA artistic directors. While classical ballet is the primary form, modern, character, and ethnic dance have also shared the ORCBA stage.
ORCBA stands alone among area dance companies in its long history of presenting full length classical ballets. Throughout our history, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Masquerade, La Sylphide, Paquita, Don Quixote, La Bayadere, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Firebird, La Fille Mal Garde, and of course, The Nutcracker, have all been performed by ORCBA. New and original productions of ballets like Peter and the Wolf and The Ugly Duckling have become audience favorites as well.
About the Facility
The Oak Ridge Civic Ballet rehearses at the Dance Centre of Oak Ridge which is a 4,300 square foot facility located at 108 E. Division Road, Oak Ridge. The Dance Centre includes three studios, two with 14 ft. ceilings, removable dividing walls, mirrors, ceiling fans, and a wooden floating dance floor. There is a lobby, boys' and girls' dressing rooms and bathrooms, and a kitchen for parties and receptions.