Benicia Ballet Theatre Celebrates 25 Years!

Visions of Sugar Plums from Artistic Director Margaret Kenrick

In 2007, my husband asked me, “Why Nutcracker?” I had to figure out a way to convince him our mission was not impossible as we launched into our new roles at Benicia Ballet Theatre.  I put my entire family on the plane to Seattle to see Pacific Northwest Ballet’s beautiful Nutcracker choreographed by Kent Stowell, designs by Maurice Sendak.  I had performed this many times with excitement.  I even had the honor of meeting Sendak during our filming of the production.  I knew Where the Wild Things Are by heart but was speechless when I met the great author.  At the performance my husband sat quietly and my daughter watched intently.  My son fell asleep on my shoulder, but he was only five years of age.  My husband walked out and said, “Ok.  I get it.  That was amazing.”  He has been our stage manager ever since.

Now my son is taller than me and performs the role of Nutcracker.  He stays awake these days.  My daughter jumps on a plane herself from UCLA to get back in time.  My former students are now faculty members who urge me on to bring new life to each production.  We create the dance from the dancer.  Nutcracker is about family, dreams, movement, and bringing art to life.  It is my pleasure to bring it to our community as the artistic director.

Benicia Ballet Theatre (BBT) is proud to announce its 25th Anniversary Production of The Nutcracker Ballet, with Live Orchestra!  Please join us in celebrating this achievement on December 5 and 6, 2015 at the Downtown Theatre in Fairfield.

Margaret Rose Kenrick is beginning her ninth year as the Artistic Director of BBT and is committed to the continued growth of the arts and health education in Benicia.  Margaret has been dancing since the young age of 4 and professionally performed with Pacific Northwest Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, traveling throughout the United States and appearing in major cultural venues, including the Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.  Ms. Kenrick appeared in the Nutcracker movie, released by Atlantic Productions in 1987, and made her first guest appearance as the Sugar Plum Fairy for Redlands Festival Ballet.  After completing a BA from UCLA and an MA from UC Riverside in biological sciences she moved to the Bay Area. Her 21 years in research in the biotech industry included multiple areas of disease progression and drug development for Xoma Corporation, Berlex Biosciences, and Genentech, Inc.  Currently she is a biology professor at Los Medanos College and pursuing her doctorate degree in organizational leadership. Mrs. Kenrick has taught, choreographed and performed with Benicia Ballet Theatre, Valley Dance Theatre of Livermore, and the Community Youth Center in Concord.  She was awarded two grants by Berlex Biosciences to sponsor volunteer work in this artistic endeavor, including an educational seminar on nutrition for dancers.  She has also been supported by Genentech’s generous company match for her donations.  BBT is honored to have such a wonderful leader of its company.

For 25 years Benicia Ballet Theatre has been committed to arts education and providing non-discriminatory performance opportunities for local dancers.  BBT brings to the stage two high-quality performances for the local North and East Bay communities yearly, in addition to providing outreach programs, a summer dance workshop and scholarships to deserving students in need.

Benicia Ballet Theatre is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Your support through tax deductible sponsorships and donations is greatly appreciated.  Help us continue our mission by donating today at: www.beniciaballet.org/sponsorship

You are invited to celebrate with us on December 5 & 6, 2015.  Help us reach our goal of a sell-out crowd for this special 25th anniversary.  There are only three limited-engagement performances this holiday season, so get your tickets today! Tickets are available at:  www.downtowntheatre.com

To our community, Benicia Ballet Theatre thanks you for your continued support through donations and attendance of our performances. We look forward to another 25 years of serving you with quality performances. See you at the show!