Founded in 1988 by Artistic Director Hugh Nini, The Festival Ballet of North Central Texas is a vibrant company, widely known and well respected, with a broad reach. The mission of The Festival Ballet is to provide a professional performance experience for both its dancers and audience. Company members, chosen annually through auditions in August, represent thirty communities in the north central region of Texas and southern Oklahoma. Each year The Festival Ballet presents its full length version of The Nutcracker and various community service performances such as public school lecture demonstrations and The Denton Arts and Jazz Festival. In addition to its public paid performances, The Festival Ballet also presents special performances, at no charge, for disadvantaged children in at-risk communities. Our Community Outreach program serves children from public and private orphanages, county day care centers, and family shelters. Additionally, with assistance from private donors and sponsors, Denton Benefit League, Greater Denton Arts Council, Texas Arts Guild, Access 1st Capital Bank and Target, The Festival Ballet thrills thousands of third and fourth graders from public and private schools with free performances of our full length, The Nutcracker at the Margo Jones Auditorium on the Texas Woman’s University campus. Prior to the performance, we provide teaching materials about the ballet and instructions on proper audience etiquette, so that the participants will have an enjoyable and informative experience. To make certain that everyone who wishes to attend is able, The Festival Ballet also provides school buses for transportation to and from the theatre.
In 1987, the Dallas Dance Council held a regional contest for the 13 area companies that presented The Nutcracker. Of the 16 categories in the competition, The Festival Ballet was honored to be chosen for Best Overall Production, Best Choreography, Best Waltz of the Flowers, Best Snow Scene, Best Battle Scene, Best Clara, Best Sets, Best Costumes, Best Program Design, and Best Box Office. It was the only company of the 13 entered to win in more than one category.