JUNE 12, 2009 / 7:30PM
KELLER AUDITORIUM

RUNTIME: 2 Hours 40 Minutes

"Oregon Ballet Theatre is an outstanding company that has earned its place in the Portland and National dance community. Trey McIntyre Project is honored to be a part of this gala to preserve a great institution. I truly hope that the entire community rallies behind the company to help us help them weather a difficult time." - Trey McIntyre, Artistic Director of the Trey McIntyre Project

“Oregon Ballet Theatre is one of the gems of the American ballet scene. It’s a company of great style and moxie. The artists of the Washington Ballet are happy to support this amazing company.”
- Septime Weber, Artistic Director of the Washington Ballet

“In these difficult economic times all of the arts are also suffering.  It is gratifying to be able to show support for our colleagues in whatever way we can, and the entire New York City Ballet wishes Oregon Ballet Theatre much continued success in its future!” - Peter Martins, Artistic Director of the New York City Ballet

“Through its commitment to excellence in dance, Oregon Ballet Theatre enriches the lives of community members from Portland and beyond. In these difficult times, the arts serve as a source of inspiration, remind us of our collective humanity, and help us to transcend our daily concerns.  American Ballet Theatre believes strongly in the work of OBT and honors it for its work bringing the highest quality art to the citizens of Oregon.”
- Rachel S. Moore, Executive Director of American Ballet Theatre

"There are a few key measurable that define a vibrant, thriving and desirable community. A government structure that attracts and facilitates business growth; a variety of spectator and individual sports and recreation opportunities; and an arts and culture community that is viable, existing through a combination of public, private and earned support. OBT has grown to represent an adequately sized ballet company for a community our size. Its $5-6 million dollar budget is not unreasonable given the scope and sophistication of its offerings to the public it serves. Perhaps better planning would have enabled them to foresee the possibility of a massive shortfall in contributed income, but the same could be said for the myriad businesses that have failed and disappeared during this economic cycle, including some of the nation's largest homebuilders, retail companies, design and architecture firms, manufacturing companies, etc.

Whether ballet is your thing or not, a healthy ballet company is an indication of a community with a degree of sophistication that is pervasive. The three-legged stool that is the structure of OBT (their school, their outreach programs, their performance series) brings the art of dance performance to a broad swath of greater Portland that is profound in its scope. To lose that element of vitality in our community is difficult to envision. I maintain that we would all be the lesser for it.

I trust that the community will rally to the case of OBT. The company remains integral to the elemental structure of Portland's enduring superiority as a place to live one's life." - Jamey Hampton, Artistic Director of BodyVox