Bossov Ballet Theatre (BBT) is a non-profit performing company and an international pre-professional ballet school, located in Pittsfield, Maine. Founded in 1996, it is now affiliated with Maine Central Institute, under the direction of Natalya Nikolaevna Getman.[1]

Founding

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The Theatre was founded by retired U.S. Marine Colonel Michael Wyly, as an attempt to fulfill a family dream shared by him and his daughter.[2] He recruited Andrei Petrovitch Bossov, a former ballet star at the Mariinsky Ballet as the artistic director.[3] Bossov introduced the Russian imperial tradition to the Theatre, which was later named after him.

Program

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BBT offers both year-long training program and a summer intensive program. The training programs is carried out in the Vaganova tradition. Students enrolled in the year-long program are required to take academic courses at MCI along with other local and international high school students, in addition to their ballet training.[4] The Theatre has attracted students from across Maine, 16 states and 24 countries, who attend MCI and study ballet more than two hours a day, six days a week. Every year the BBT brings ballet productions such as The Nutcracker to local theaters and opera house. The troupe also tours internationally, performing in countries like Russia.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Calder, Amy (8 December 2013). "New leadership at Pittsfield's Bossov Ballet". CentralMaine.com. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  2. ^ Chase, Stacey (8 March 2007). "Backstory: A marine's corps de ballet". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  3. ^ Gleason, Joshua (22 April 2007). "Marine Brings International Ballet to Maine". NPR. Washington, DC. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  4. ^ "Bossov Ballet Theatre". MCI. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  5. ^ "MCI's Bossov ballet program celebrates 15 years". Bangor Daily News. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2014.

44°46′46″N 69°23′12″W / 44.77946°N 69.386579°W / 44.77946; -69.386579