SBRI History

The State Ballet of Rhode Island (SBRI) was founded in 1960 by the Marsden family. Through the efforts of Herci and Myles Marsden and a group of sixty enthusiastic Rhode Islanders, it has served as a creative outlet for many composers, musicians, writers, painters, lighting technicians, and costume designers as well as dancers.

1960s

• November 19, 1960 - SBRI has its premiere performance in Rhode Island at Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

• "Coppelia" has its premiere in Rhode Island in 1962 before an enthusiastic crowd at Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

• SBRI represents the State several times at the New York World’s Fair and Eastern States Expositions.

• In the interest of cultural exchange, SBRI receives a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities to invite Croatian choreographer/dancer Oskar Harmos to assist SBRI in staging the first American production of “Stranger" (1968).

• Isobel Harris Sheppard composes "Ballet from Another Planet" for SBRI. First performance is on the ocean rocks in Turnberry, Narragansett (August 1965).

• George Hirst, a Rhode Island composer, writes "Marche" for Herci Marsden, SBRI.

• SBRI dances at the State House’s annual observances of Lincoln's Birthday in the 1960's.

• At the annual University of Rhode Island Arts Festival, SBRI performs "Destiny" on April 27, 1965 in Kingston, RI.

• For the first time in Rhode Island, SBRI performs “Giselle” to an overflow audience at Veterans Memorial Auditorium (1964).  World-famous Anton Dolin is guest choreographer and also plays Hilarion in the production.

• Capacity audiences see SBRI perform at the Diamond Hill Music Festivals, beginning in 1965.

• SBRI performs "Destiny" at the first Performing Arts Festival with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra in 1967.

• SBRI performances are featured at many civic events, including the State House Rotunda and at the 325^th Anniversary of the City of Providence at Brown Stadium.

• In 1969, SBRI participates in the filming of a television show for Channel 36 at Rhode Island College.

1970s

• Over the decade, SBRI introduces to Rhode Islanders such giants in its traditional repertoire, such as "Giselle,” "Coppelia," "Romeo and Juliet," "Cinderella," and "The Sleeping Beauty".  Guest choreographers Anton Dolin, Oskar Harmos, Joseph Levinhoff, and Mia Slavenska interpret their work, supervise rehearsals, and lend their presence on the stage.  Harmos performs the role of the Stranger in his ballet "Stranac", and Dolin appears as King Claudius in "Hamlet" and Hilarion in "Giselle."

• SBRI performs “Faust”, “Aida”, “Merry Widow”, “La Traviata” and “Carmen” with Providence's Opera Theatre and performs with the Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra in the production of "Carmina Burana."

• The Company of 57 packs its costumes, scenery, and equipment and travels to Croatia, by invitation from the Croatian government (1970).

• Guest choreographer and Artistic Advisor for The State Ballet, Sir Anton Dolin, and John Gilpin, London Festival Ballet, choreograph the famous "Pas de Quatre" for SBRI.  It premieres in 1975.

1980s

• The full-length story ballet "Sylvia - The Nymph of Diana" is performed for the first time in the United States, choreographed specially by SBRI’s Artistic Director, Herci Marsden.

• Before sold-out crowds, SBRI performs several short works at Bryant College’s 125th Anniversary Celebration.

• As guests of RI School of Design in 1989, SBRI performs at the RISD Museum’s, "An Informal History of Dance in Rhode Island," presenting several short ballet works with commendable performances.

1990s

• SBRI is commissioned by the South County Center for the Arts to perform the full length story ballet "Coppelia" at South Kingstown High School in February 1990.  The performance is a sold-out crowd pleaser.  The company is asked to return the following year for another successful performance.

• Margaret Buechner, a composer from Michigan, commissions Herci Marsden to choreograph with SBRI the World Premiere Fairy Tale Ballet "Phantomgreen". The story is based on the Hans Christian Andersen story, Princess and the Pea.  Ms. Buechner writes this original story, music, and libretto.  A compact disc of “Phantomgreen” is currently available in the United States and Europe.  Two of SBRI’s principal dancers appear on the cover of the compact disc.  An insert that accompanies the disc states that choreographer, Herci Marsden, premiered “Phantomgreen” and it is performed by SBRI.

• In November 1991, the Student Activities Office of the University of Rhode Island invites SBRI and Artistic Director, Herci Marsden, to perform the full length classic "Giselle."  The event was sold out.

• On July 27, 1995, SBRI appointed Artistic Associate and member of the New York City Ballet, Richard Anton Marsden, to return to his hometown theater, Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, in Providence, RI where he received standing ovations for his performance.  This event, sponsored in part by SBRI, was a celebration of pride, support and a Marsden Family success story.

• On August 3, 1995, Ms. Marsden, along with other SBRI members appears on ABC’s Good Morning America.

• On May 10, 1996, SBRI members perform the RI premiere of “Two’s Company,” a ballet directed and choreographed by Toni Pimble, Artistic Director of the Eugene Ballet Company, Oregon.

• SBRI’s annually performs and visits at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, RI bringing well-known fairytale characters to life.  The experiences are rewarding and meaningful for the dancers, the young patients and their families.

• Citizen’s Bank proudly sponsors several of SBRI’s Project Ballet in Education “Cultural Enrichment Performances” children performances.

• RI premieres of “Ballet Ireland” and “La Esmeralda” in spring of 1999.

2000’s

• SBRI performs at annual Holiday events such as ‘The Festival of Giving,’ the Town of Lincoln’s ‘Festival of Lights,’ and The Lincoln Mall’s Holiday Celebrations.

• SBRI Alumna Principal Dancer and Executive Director, Ana Marsden Fox, premieres her choreographed, eclectic ballet, “Les Pieds.”

•  SBRI is filmed by National Geographic for its TV series, ‘Jellyfish,’ aired on PBS, 2001.

• 41^st Season of The State Ballet opens with premiere of “Ballet Espagnol.”

• SBRI annually participates in the RI Health and Fitness Expo at the RI Convention Center, demonstrating healthy lifestyles and positive community involvement.

• SBRI performs at the annual Robert Mondavi Festival of the Vine WaterFire events, ‘On the Corner of Art and Vine,’ at WaterPlace Park.

• In June 2003, SBRI hosts its first “Partner with the Arts,” an event which welcomes business and community leaders to explore opportunities to partner with SBRI.

• SBRI performs at Trinity Repertory Company’s ‘Holiday Open House’ in December of 2003.

• “Ballet West” and “Les Bras” make RI premieres in May of 2004, created by choreographer, Ana Marsden Fox.

• RI premieres of “Cherokee,” “Boys Will Be Boys” and “Goddesses of the Vine” in May, 2005.

• “Summertime,” a solo variation danced to music from the opera, “Porgy and Bess,” is premiered by resident choreographer and SBRI alumna, Shana Fox.  The piece marked the choreographer’s official launch as a SBRI resident choreographer.

• SBRI hosts its 5th annual “Partner with the Arts” event on the outdoor garden-surrounded stage at SBRI’s grounds, and performs with Mike Lyons and The Blue Moon Orchestra. 

• “Coppelia” is honored with a Motif Magazine Theatre Award – ‘Recognized for Excellence in the 2008 Motif Theatre Awards readers poll & voted  - Best Dance Production.’

• In May 2008, “Gansel and Hetal” is premiered by Ana Marsden Fox, and a revival of “Claire de Lune” is created by Mia Nocera Godbout, both SBRI alumni principal dancers and resident choreographers.

• The 2008-2009 season began with a revival of SBRI’s Project Ballet Coffee Hour, “From Studio to Stage”, a four-series, family-friendly event of how a ballet is created including music, lecture and a visual performance.

• Three of SBRI’s resident choreographers, Mark Marsden, Mia Nocera Godbout, and Shana Fox collaborate to produce an electrifying world premiere ballet, “Gracefully Gershwin.”  The piece is funded partially by a RISCA grant.

• For the second year in a row, “Coppelia” is named ‘The Professional Semi-Pro Best Dance Production’ during the 2009 Motif Theatre Awards readers’ poll & voted.

2010’s

• SBRI officially opened its 50^th Performing Season with Rhode Island’s holiday tradition, “Coppelia.”  For its annual Spring Performance, The State Ballet performs a monumental and epic classical ballet, “Giselle” to feature appearances by numerous alumni dancers from over the Company’s 50 years in existence!

• On June 6, 2010 Herci Marsden and SBRI are honored at their Golden Anniversary Gala surrounded by five decades of alumni, patrons, and guests.

• The 2010 Motif Theatre Awards hosted by Motif Magazine award Herci Marsden as SBRI Artistic Director, the ‘Artistic Vision’ Award in honor of her half-century milestone. 

• In October of 2010, SBRI performed the opening ceremonies, by invitation, for the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s Flames of Hope event in front of a Providence, RI crowd of thousands.  Two new pieces, ‘My Heart Will Go On’ and ‘Lift Me Up’ make their emotional debut.

Under the direction of Herci Marsden, The State Ballet of Rhode Island has provided our community with a vibrant form of artistic expression through diverse and creative cultural programs and performances.  The State Ballet remains dedicated to its mission as a non-profit, civic, and regional ballet company which creates, presents, preserves and extends the great repertoire of classical ballet;  hence, contributing to the beautiful quality of life Southern New England has to offer.