The Sacramento Ballet has announced the appointment of Gregory B. Smith as its new Executive Director. Mr. Smith brings more than twenty-five years of nonprofit arts management experience to his new position, including serving as Executive Director of a Cultural Center, a Performing and Visual Arts Center, and a classical music festival; and as a founding Executive Director of two professional ballet companies.  He officially begins on October 19th, but has arrived early to attend the opening performance of the season this Saturday, October 17 – the Capitol Choreography Competition which will take place at the Crest Theater.

In Portland, Oregon, Mr. Smith was the founding Director of Pacific Ballet Theater - a company which grew from a $50,000 annual budget to national touring under the auspices of Columbia Artists Management in three years.  In Jackson, Mississippi, he was the co-founder of Ballet Magnificat - the first professional company that performed entirely under the sponsorship of churches.  In its first two-and-one-half years of operation, the company performed more than 250 times in 26 states.

Mr. Smith was the founding Executive Director of the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens in San Clemente, CA; and Executive Director of both the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and the Ventura Chamber Music Festival in Ventura, California.  He also served as Production Manager for two of the USA International Ballet Competitions, which are held every four years in Jackson, Mississippi.

Said Mr. Smith, “I have followed the work of the Sacramento Ballet for many years, and have been impressed with the consistent level of excellence dating back to when I was dancing myself.  I look forward to working with Ron Cunningham, Carinne Binda, the Dancers, and the Board of Directors in continuing that record of excellence, beauty, and creativity.”

He went on to say, “It is only appropriate that I begin my tenure here during National Arts and Humanities Month - a time when our nation recognizes the importance of the arts and creativity - and that the Sacramento Ballet is able to highlight that importance with its Capitol Choreography Competition this weekend and next, inviting three outstanding artists to create new works of choreographic art here in our city.”

A Letter from Mr. Gregory Smith:

Dear Ballet Supporter:

Thank You!

You have helped to make great things possible.  And I am pleased to be able to join in your endeavor.

As the new Executive Director of the Sacramento Ballet, I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you - - the people who have helped make the company a leading part of the Sacramento arts community for so many years.  I promise you that I will strive in every way possible to continue the legacy you have helped to create; to support Ron and Carinne, the dancers and the Board of Directors in their efforts bring the very best in dance to our region; and to work to see the arts flourish throughout Sacramento.

I like to say that I began my arts career as many have done - - as a Pre-Med student.  But since that time, I have been the founding Executive Director of two professional ballet companies – Pacific Ballet Theater (now Oregon Ballet Theater) in Portland, Oregon, and Ballet Magnificat in Jackson, Mississippi.  I also served as E.D. of a Cultural Center, a Performing and Visual Arts Center, and a classical music festival.  One of my most exciting times was as Production Manager for two of the quadrennial USA International Ballet Competitions in Jackson, Mississippi.  I hope that the broad range of my experience will allow me to begin making a contribution to the effort here right away.

It is only appropriate that I begin my tenure with the Sacramento Ballet during National Arts and Humanities Month, and that the company can celebrate our nation’s commitment to arts and creativity with its opening performances this weekend and next.  I hope I have the opportunity to meet each and every one of you – if not during our Capitol Choreography Competition or Peter and the Wolf performances (Crest Theater on the 17th or 24th), then at one of our other season performances.

It will take me a few days to get oriented, but please know that I am always available for questions or ideas.  Feel free to contact me if I can be of service.  If I don’t have the answer, I can certainly try to find someone who does.

Again, my thanks for helping to bring the company to where it is today.  It could not have happened without you.

Sincerely,

Gregory B. Smith
Executive Director