Northeastern Pennsylvania's oldest existing performing organization includes a Senior, Apprentice, and Children’s Company under the Artistic Direction of Joanne D. The Senior Company is at the forefront in presenting full-length classical ballet with an extensive repertoire of work. The Company plays an active role in promoting the arts in the community and has participated in area educational programs at the University of Scranton, Keystone College, and Marywood University. Senior Company members have performed annually in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic Christmas Concerts, as well as partnering with many other area arts organizations. Ethnic dance is an important aspect of the performer's training and the dancer's skills are demonstrated during annual appearances at La Festa Italiana, as well as many other cultural festivals. Staff members have worked on community productions for such organizations as Allied Services, the Scranton Diocesan High Schools, and the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as well as local radio and television stations. Many company members continue their training in summer programs with the Kirov Academy, Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Boston Ballet, The Royal Academy of Dancing, Pennsylvania Ballet, the Washington Ballet, the School of American Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Walnut Hill, to mention a few. Since the onset of the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts, the company boasts a record held by few in the state, placing 36 dancers in the scholarship program since 1974. From 1992 to 1996, Ballet Theatre hosted the Russian Ballet Seminar which attracted dancers and teachers from across the United States. In addition, the company has hosted numerous Master Classes throughout its history. In conjunction with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit #19, where Artistic Director Joanne Arduino represents Ballet Theatre of Scranton as a rostered artist, the company has worked extensively in the school districts throughout Lackawanna, Luzerne and Susquehanna counties. The company is committed to play an important role in arts education. The Dance Studio is the official school of Ballet Theatre of Scranton. It was originally founded by Constance Reynolds and in 1978 passed on to Joanne Arduino who gave it its current name. The school has a long tradition of established teaching techniques and prides itself in the training, performing and cultural aspects of dance.
