History

Providence Creek Ballet Theater (PCBT) began as part of the 2004 Learning Enrichment Activities Program (LEAP) at Providence Creek Academy (PCA), under the direction of Dr. Lydia Creasy Cooper. Initially an after-school program teaching introductory ballet, PCBT quickly expanded to include performances in PCA's 2004 Holiday Concert and its first Performance Concert in June 2005.

By the 2008 season, PCBT had grown to offer a diverse range of after-school classes, including daily ballet and pointe, as well as weekly tap and jazz classes. The summer program started in 2010 and evolved into a full five-week Summer Intensive Program in 2011, led by our current Artistic Director, Stephanie Artigliere. Since then, the Summer Intensive has included multiple guest artists, a choreography workshop, and a culminating showcase for daytime students.

PCBT’s nine-month school year program runs Monday through Saturday, offering classes from Creative Movement to Performance Company, including adult fulfillment classes. Our curriculum encompasses tap, jazz, hip hop, and lyrical dance, while maintaining a strong focus on classical ballet and pointe.

Since its inception, PCBT dancers have participated in PCA's Holiday Concert (2004-present) and PCBT's Summer Concert (2005-present). In 2008, PCBT premiered its first storybook ballet, Peter and the Wolf, followed by Snow White as a full-length ballet in 2010 and 2011. Under Mrs. Artigliere's leadership, PCBT introduced the production Winter Suites in December 2011 and 2012, featuring excerpts from Swan Lake, Paquita, and The Nutcracker.

In March 2012, PCBT made its debut at the Delaware Dance Festival, joining over twenty dance studios from the region. Since then, we have commissioned works by regional choreographers for various festivals and performances, including the Philadelphia Youth Dance Fest and Regional Dance America/Northeast. Participation in these festivals has provided PCBT dancers with performance opportunities, exposure to distinguished dance educators, and scholarship classes.

The winter of 2013 saw the introduction of our holiday performance, The Nutcracker Suite, which has become a beloved tradition within our community. This production has continued to evolve, featuring original choreography and special performances with professional dancers.

As PCBT grows, our dedicated educators remain committed to providing students with solid training in classical ballet and various dance disciplines, along with theater production and etiquette. Our Company dancers have collaborated with award-winning choreographers such as Danielle Guillermo, Christine Aumiller, and Victoria Silva. Thanks to their dedication, many PCBT students have received DDF scholarships, been accepted into Delaware's esteemed Cab Calloway School for the Arts, and participated in summer programs nationwide.

In June 2016, PCBT was evaluated and accepted as an intern company with Regional Dance America. After a re-evaluation at the 2018 RDA/NE Festival in Manchester, NH, PCBT was honored to become a full Performing Company, marking our debut on a national platform.