Ballet Arkansas is the fourth leg of an arts "stool," said board member Alex Ray in an impassioned plea for charitable contributions, and among the other legs -- the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and the Arkansas Arts Center -- it has the most upward mobility.
That may be true.
Ballet Arkansas was founded in 1978 as a nonprofit, but it wasn't until 2009 that the board of directors formed its professional dance company. Since that time the prestige and number of its performances, as well as its fundraising, have surged.
At the annual fundraiser March 20, Turning Pointe, the professional dance company honored lawyer and Stephens Inc. executive vice president David Knight, who among other pursuits has trained his photographer's lens on dancers over the years. His work comprises the images collected in the book Ballet Arkansas Reflections. He even raised the money to meet the costs of publishing it.
Guests of the fundraiser were treated to heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks before a presentation of several dance numbers -- including two really captivating modern dance pieces, one by Visions Choreography Competition finalist Brandon Ragland, Barrier, and another for youth, Isolated, choreographed by Deanna Karlheim -- then dessert and dancing (unchoreographed) afterward.
It all took place at the Masonic Temple downtown and raised about $62,000, executive director Karen Bassett said.
-- Story and photos by Bobby Ampezzan
High Profile on 03/29/2015