The Gwinnett Ballet Theatre is more than what the audience sees on the stage.  GBT has always been a good citizen, reaching out to the community with tickets and events to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enrich their lives through experiencing the world of Dance.  
     This year, a major step in Outreach was undertaken through our Scholarship Program.  Although GBT has had an Adopt a Dancer effort in the past, this outreach format was enlarged and developed into a major facet of GBT's total program.
     The GBT Scholarship Program has taken approximately twenty children between the ages of 8 and 12 into its school.  These children, identified and selected through a number of contacts with community resources, are given two ballet classes a week at no cost.  They are also welcomed to participate in the Nutcracker and Spring Recital.  The program is tracking, through communication with parents and teachers, the children's progress in dance, but also in school grades and in growth in character features such as responsibility and self esteem.
     GBT hopes to continue this program from year to year.  The expense of this first year's effort has been underwritten by such wonderful entities as: The Competitive Grants Fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Inc.; Primerica, a member of Citygroup; the Gwinnett Gladiators; and the Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Counties.

“Scholarships are available for young dancers ages 7-14. Proof of economic need must be established before the child can be accepted into the Scholarship Program. The Program offers two weekly ballet classes, all shoes and dance clothing, all Nutcracker and recital fees, and all costume costs to the Scholarship students at no charge. Responsibility lies with the parents for all transportation and a commitment to attend all classes and rehearsals.”