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Give To The Max Day
Dear Friends of Minnesota Ballet Theatre,
As we celebrate Give to the MAX Day 2024, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support of Minnesota Ballet Theatre (MBT). Ballet is an art form that inspires, unites, and brings beauty to everyone. At Minnesota Ballet School & Theatre, we believe in the transformative power of ballet and its ability to inspire and enrich our community. We are committed to making this beautiful art form accessible to all.
Our journey began over twenty years ago when we, Svetlana Bak-Gavrilova and Kirill Bak-Stepanoff, graduates of the prestigious Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, brought our love for ballet from Russia to America in 1998. After dancing professionally with local ballet companies, we fulfilled our dream by founding the Academy of Russian Ballet in 2001, now known as Minnesota Ballet School. In 2014, we expanded our vision by establishing Minnesota Ballet Theatre as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which has since become a cherished cultural institution in the Twin Cities.
MBT has enriched our community with world-class ballet and arts education, bringing the beauty and power of ballet to all. Our productions, ranging from the timeless classic The Nutcracker to heartwarming performances like Peter and the Wolf, The Great Halloween Adventure, and Carnival of the Animals, have delighted audiences of all ages. We are committed to fostering the next generation of dancers and ensuring that ballet remains a vital and transformative force in our community.
Our Mission
At Minnesota Ballet Theatre, we are dedicated to nurturing local talent and enriching our community’s cultural landscape. Our goal is to become Minnesota's premier professional classical ballet company, creating exceptional performances that captivate and inspire audiences. We are committed to providing meaningful opportunities for artists, fostering their growth, and supporting them through fair employment practices right here in Minnesota.
We also recognize the importance of collaborating with world-class guest artists. Your support helps us bring talented professionals from across the globe to perform alongside our local dancers. These guest stars elevate the artistry of our performances, offering our dancers invaluable learning experiences while providing audiences with unforgettable performances.
We believe that Minnesota deserves access to world-class ballet performances crafted by local artists, for local audiences. With your support, our mission continues to thrive—bringing innovative productions to life and cultivating a deep appreciation for the art of dance in our community. Together, we are shaping a future filled with extraordinary performances and cherished memories.
Why Your Support Matters
Every donation, large or small, is essential in supporting our dancers, programs, and productions. With your generosity, we can:
- Sustain Local Artistic Excellence: Focusing on Russian ballet traditions, we train and nurture talent here in Minnesota, inspiring both local dancers and audiences.
- Build a Professional Ballet Community: Your support helps create career opportunities for our dancers, ensuring they can grow professionally within our state.
- Support Guest Star Artists: By bringing in talented guest artists, your donations help elevate the quality of our performances and provide our dancers with exceptional mentorship.
- Create Stunning Productions: From costumes to sets, your contributions enable us to create immersive, captivating performances that elevate the art of ballet.
- Provide Accessible Dance Education: Through scholarships and financial assistance, we open the doors of ballet to families and children, regardless of their financial situation.
How You Can Help
Your generous support fuels our mission and ensures that ballet continues to inspire, unite, and bring beauty to our community. Together, we are building a legacy that will shape future generations of dancers and audiences.
Thank you for being part of our journey and for believing in the future of ballet in Minnesota.
Warmest regards,
Minnesota Ballet Theatre is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Tax ID #47-1671971
Sponsorship Opportunities
Dear Friends, Patrons, and Partners,
Each year, Minnesota Ballet Theatre brings Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker, to life with original choreography inspired by Marius Petipa. This timeless ballet draws hundreds of attendees from across the Twin Cities and has become a cherished holiday tradition for families in our community. This year’s production will run from December 13-15, 2024, with four captivating performances at the Eden Prairie Performing Arts Center.
Minnesota Ballet Theatre (MBT) is currently offering sponsorship opportunities for businesses interested in supporting local performing arts while connecting with an engaged audience of theatergoers, families, and ballet enthusiasts.
As a nonprofit organization, Minnesota Ballet Theatre is dedicated to fostering a love for classical ballet, contemporary works, and the performing arts throughout the Twin Cities. We take pride in honoring the classical ballet tradition, delighting audiences, and inspiring the next generation of dancers through training in balance, strength, coordination, and musicality.
Through its commitment to the arts, MBT has made its presence felt in the community through events such as the Chanhassen 4th of July Parade and the annual Nutcracker Turkey Trot 5K in Eden Prairie.
With our 2024 production of The Nutcracker, MBT aims to raise $20,000 to continue offering exceptional performances and supporting its talented dancers and staff. To achieve this, we are inviting local businesses to join us as sponsors.
Sponsorship Levels:
$1,500 – Clara’s Crew
- Half-page ad in The Nutcracker program
- Prominent logo placement on “Thank You” signage in the lobby
- Social media acknowledgment before and after the performance
- Four VIP tickets to The Nutcracker
$750 – Nutcracker Princes and Princesses
- Quarter-page ad in The Nutcracker program
- Logo included on “Thank You” signage in the lobby
- Social media acknowledgment before and after the performance
- Two VIP tickets to The Nutcracker
$350 – Sugar Plum Fairies
- Eighth-page ad in The Nutcracker program
- Logo included on “Thank You” signage in the lobby
- Two tickets to The Nutcracker
$100 – Toy Soldiers
- Logo included in The Nutcracker program
All sponsorships must be finalized by Friday, November 29, to be included in The Nutcracker program and lobby materials.
By becoming a sponsor, your business will gain visibility and recognition among local families and ballet supporters while helping sustain and grow Minnesota Ballet Theatre’s mission of bringing exceptional art and culture to the Twin Cities.
For more information or to confirm your sponsorship, please contact:
TJ Scott
Sponsor Coordinator
Minnesota Ballet Theatre
952-215-4707
Thank you for your support in creating a magical and memorable holiday season for our community. Together, we can inspire, delight, and foster a love for the performing arts.
Warm regards,
Minnesota Ballet Theatre
Support Minnesota Ballet Theatre
Dear Patron,
As a non-profit 501(c)(3) performing art-educational dance company, Minnesota Ballet Theatre (MBT) is deeply committed to providing culture, music, and dance education to the Twin Cities area. Our mission is to prepare dancers of all ages to shine on professional stages, showcasing the beauty of classical ballet, contemporary, and modern repertoire.
Founded in 2014 by Svetlana Bak-Gavrilova and Kirill Bak-Stepanoff, esteemed graduates of the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia, MBT has become a cherished part of the community. Our signature production, The Nutcracker, an authentically Russian classical ballet with Tchaikovsky's timeless music and the original Marius Petipa choreography, graces the winter Holiday Season each year. Additionally, our repertoire includes captivating productions like Peter and the Wolf, Carnival of the Animals, Great Halloween Adventure, Paquita, and Les Sylphides (Chopiniana).
As we continue our journey, we aspire to expand our company and bring more dazzling performances to our beloved audience. Our dream is to build a company with professional dancers and enrich future seasons with even more artistic delights.
Today, we humbly ask for your support, no matter the amount, to help us achieve this vision. Your contribution will have a lasting impact on the growth and success of Minnesota Ballet Theatre, empowering us to continue nurturing talent and sharing the magic of dance with our community.
We sincerely thank you for being a valued donor and for believing in our mission. Your generosity is an essential part of our journey, and with your help, we look forward to creating a bright future for MBT filled with extraordinary performances and unforgettable experiences.
Warmest regards,
Kirill Bak-Stepanoff
Executive Director, Minnesota Ballet Theatre