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BalletMet receives PNC Arts Alive grant for interactive ‘Romeo and Juliet’ experience

BalletMet is one of eight Central Ohio arts organizations to receive a grant from the PNC Foundation through PNC Arts Alive.

The grant, totaling $40,000, will be put toward multiple interactive experiences surrounding performances of Artistic Director Edwaard Liang’s Romeo and Juliet.

“The entire BalletMet organization is so excited that PNC Arts Alive will be our partner in allowing us to show what happens in our studios and how that translates in to what our audience sees on stage,” said Executive Director Sue Porter. “PNC’s leadership in supporting arts organizations like ours makes an incredible difference to the fabric of our community. We hope the community will follow the process through social media and join us in person as we celebrate dance in a timeless work.”

“The arts community across Central Ohio is very active with a wide selection of theater, dance and concerts,” said Michael Gonsiorowski, PNC regional president for Columbus. “Through the PNC Arts Alive initiative, we can contribute to the region’s outstanding cultural arts and support new and imaginative arts programs that help enrich our community and strengthen our local economy.”

With the goal of engaging a new audience and better reaching our current audience, BalletMet will livestream rehearsals for Romeo and Juliet, inviting the community inside the studio to see Liang work with the company dancers.

We’ll then host a special behind-the-scenes event on the Columbus Commons in the form of an open rehearsal and happy hour. Finally, each performance of Romeo and Juliet will feature interactive experiences in the Ohio Theatre lobbies to give patrons insight into the creation of Liang’s celebrated ballet.

Romeo and Juliet, a Columbus premiere, runs April 28-30, 2017.