The Arts Center will partially reopen on July 6!
We are very happy to announce that the Arts Center will partially reopen on Monday, July 6, for in-person classes and some private music lessons. Our temporary operating hours will be Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Payments for classes and lessons should be made through our website, by phone, or by mailed check before the student’s start date — not in person. Our front desk will only be intermittently staffed.
We require anyone entering the building to wear a mask the entire time they’re inside, and to check in at the front desk. The kitchenette in the front of the building will be used only as a handwashing station (no food prep permitted — dancers, please note); we ask that everyone wash hands upon entry. Parents of students: unless your child requires assistance, please do not accompany them into the building for their class/lesson. If you or anyone in your household is sick/running a fever, please do not enter the building.
Class capacity will be lowered to allow for social distancing, and private music lessons will be held in large, alternate spaces rather than the music rooms, to maintain necessary space between students and teachers. We ask that all students arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before their lesson/class. At this time, voice lessons will remain virtual, as will string lessons with Carol Linsenmeier. Teaching spaces (pianos/benches/chairs/barres/tables) will be sanitized after each class/lesson. Spaces will be marked out to maintain distance.
Dancers: please wear a mask and bring a spare in case your first gets wet. Please arrive dressed for class, and bring a full water bottle marked with your name — the water fountains are shut off. Any snacks that you bring need to be ready-to-eat (granola bars, veggies, etc.) — the kitchen will be locked and the front microwave/fridge will not be in use. No hands-on correction will be given, and class will not include contact between dancers.
COVID-19 update for Frozen JR and AAC programming
In light of Governor DeWine’s declaration canceling all gatherings of 100 people or more to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Ashtabula Arts Center is canceling all performances of Frozen JR this weekend, as well as the Frozen Luncheon on Saturday. We know this is a disappointment to our audiences, performers, and crew, and we are very sorry to have to make this decision. We are so very grateful for the support our audiences have shown for this performance and our Youth Theatre actors. We will be refunding tickets purchased for the March 13-15 performances of Frozen JR, and the Frozen Luncheon, starting tomorrow, March 13. Anyone who has purchased tickets should contact us at (440) 964-3396 so we can collect the information needed to process your refund. If you are able and willing to donate the price of your ticket to help the Arts Center weather what will be a difficult period financially, we are grateful.
We are looking into the possibility of running the final four performances of Frozen JR at a later date.
Straw Hat auditions this weekend and next will be held as scheduled, however, we are asking that all auditions be by appointment. Please arrive 5 minutes ahead of your scheduled appointment time to fill out your audition form, and please exit the building promptly when your audition is complete.
Boeing Boeing will not open as scheduled; we will provide updates on that show as soon as possible.
The building will be closed to the public and all classes & programming at the Arts Center will be suspended for the next 3 weeks, resuming on Monday, April 6.
Thank you so much for your understanding and patience in this situation.
Rennick Meat Market supports Ballet Theatre Ashtabula with lunch sales
From November 1 through December 6, Rennick Meat Market will donate 10% of its lunch sales (Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.) to Ballet Theatre Ashtabula School of Dance!
BTA School of Dance has been teaching young people for over 50 years, and bringing our community together for the holiday tradition of The Nutcracker for 38 years. This season, you can help support the dreams, dedication, and hard work of these young dancers just by enjoying lunch at Rennick!
Rennick Meat Market is located at 1104 Bridge Street, Ashtabula.
Ballet Theatre Ashtabula’s production of The Nutcracker will run December 6-8, 13-15, & 19-22, Friday & Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday & Sunday at 2 p.m.
Try a dance class for free!
Try a dance class for free! From 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 9, our Director of Dance Shelagh Dubsky will offer a sample beginning-level ballet class. If your son or daughter is interested in dance, but would like to try a class before committing to an eight-week session, this sample class is for them. Call (440) 964-3396 to sign up. Students should wear clothes that are comfortable to move in and thick socks. (Ballet slippers are not required for this class.)
See Ballet Theatre Ashtabula’s full schedule of winter classes here.