The Scranton Civic Ballet was founded in 1978 by Helen M. Gaus as a regional resident company with its home in Scranton, PA. The mission of this non-profit organization is to educate our members and the public in the art of dance, to train area students in the art and discipline of classical ballet that they may pursue a professional career if they so desire, and to bring the talents of well-known artists, choreographers and master teachers into the Scranton area for our students as well as our audiences. The professional standard of instruction at Scranton Civic Ballet is focused on achieving a disciplined technique focused on strength, flexibility, coordination, grace, musicality, body alignment and poise. It is our priority to teach students responsibility and respect for their art, their teachers, each other and themselves.

The focus of the Civic Ballet Company is our two annual major performances, which are full scale theatrical productions presented at the Scranton Cultural Center, showcasing all aspects of the performing arts - including classical music of well known composers, the implementation of modern and/or contemporary dance, the acting talents of our students and area adults and the creations of local artists as represented in our costumes and sets. Helen Gaus’ choreography adapts to the skills of her dancers, and with the pre-professional talent of our company, and professionals producing the stage, lighting, sound, music, costuming and choreography, our performances are superb!

The resume of the Scranton Civic Ballet includes the first modern ballet performed and presented in Scranton by a resident dance company and the first ballet company in the area to offer modern and contemporary dance as part of its curriculum. 

The Company has performed the works of such distinguished and prominent choreographers as Joseph Levinoff (Dance Educators), Jim Snyder (director of Joffrey Concert Group), Ron Altman (Joffrey Ballet), Scott Hunt (NYC teacher and choreographer) and Ellen Cornfield (NYC Company and choreographer). Workshops have been offered by Dorothy Lister of Joffrey Ballet, Laura Alonso of National Ballet of Cuba, Dan May from New York City, Trinette Singleton of Joffrey, Cherie Noble, principal dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet Company, former Rockette Jennifer Sagan, and Ellen Cornfield of NYC Cornfield Dance Company.  

Civic Ballet programs include “Eye On Dance,” a program giving school children of northeastern Pennsylvania an exposure to dance and all aspects of the performance such as stage preparation, lighting and special effects, and “Youths for Ballet”, a program, initially funded by the City of Scranton and the Lackawanna Regional Cultural Council, giving underprivileged and economically disadvantaged youth the opportunity to learn dance and attain a greater appreciation of the arts, as well as instilling a sense of pride and accomplishment that will influence them in the future. Miss Helen and the Company now sustain the program independently. We are very proud of our collaborative project, "Go With The Flow", a two week summer camp of dance, poetry, and photography for children.

Scranton Civic Ballet is honored with the selection of their program, "Downtown Movers and Shakers" Treasure Hunt by the 2012 Class of Leadership Lackawanna! We have been the recipient of grants from the Pennsylvania Council for the Arts, Metropolitan Life Foundation, Westinghouse Foundation, Celestial Seasonings, Inc., Lackawanna County Council on the Arts, Lackawanna Regional Cultural Council and the City of Scranton.

Our Ballet Company has participated with many area arts organizations including Community Concerts and Mostly Opera, and arts activities including Sunday in the Park at the Everhart Museum, Lackawanna County Library System, the Italian Festival, CMC’s Holiday Lights. We have performed in many Regional Dance America festivals, including the First National Festival, held in Houston, Texas. The company has also performed internationally, in Austria and Italy.

2008 saw the establishment of Scranton Civic Ballet’s Advisory Board, an outstanding group of community minded professionals who enrich the Company’s artistic and business planning. Bricks and mortar are the 2009 focus of Scranton Civic Ballet. Our home at 234 Mifflin Avenue has undergone a face lift so that finally, our exterior will reflect the high quality of our activities within!

Owner/Director, Scranton Civic Dance Centre, Artistic Director, Scranton Civic Ballet Company, Rostered Artist with Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Former Director of Dance, Marywood College, Trained in Scranton, New York City, Kingston, Ontario and Toronto, Canada, Member, Royal Academy of Dance, London, England

Ms. Gaus has instituted a program called "Youths for Ballet". This program, which was funded by the City of Scranton and the Lackawanna Regional Cultural Council, gives underprivileged and economically disadvantaged youths the opportunity to learn dance and gives them greater appreciation of the arts as well as instilling a sense of pride and accomplishment that will influence them in the future. She has also taught and trained many of our area's dance teachers, Ms. Gaus teaches children from the Scranton State School for the Deaf, and has also taught dance in surrounding public schools for the past ten years as a PA Council for the Arts Rostered Artist.

Instructor: Teacher at Ballet Theatre of Scranton, Ballet Mistress of Ballet Theatre from 1959 to 1978., Polish Women's Dance Alliance for 15 years, Abington's Dance Academy for 15 years, N.E.I.U. Summer Program at P.E.E.C. and Keystone Junior College, Choreographer of Polish National Union's Annual Debutante Ball since 1980, Choreographed Polish Women's Alliance Debutante Ball for 10 years, Choreographed local television commercials as well as special Hatchy Milatchey children's TV programs and mall shows, Choreographed musicals for local high schools, Choreographed for Opera IV of Scranton and Mostly Opera.

Awarded: Marywood College Order of St. Genesius Award, Lackawanna Arts Council William L. Connell, Jr. Award, 1983 Chamber of Commerce Award for 25 Years of Teaching Excellence, The Scranton Times Woman Of The Week, 2007 Northeast Intermediate Unit (NEIU) Teacher of the Year.

Recently Miss Helen Gaus has celebrated her 50th anniversary of teaching.  The advantage of dancing at Scranton Civic is the chance to truly appreciate this petite dynamo with perfect poise, tenacity of elephant’s skin, a quick sense of humor, a true love of dance and children, and extraordinary creativity and talent.

Miss Gloria Beemer is the Company Manager of Scranton Civic Ballet Company.  Her responsibilities include managing our building and all performance details, such as insurance coverage, licenses and permits, working with stage hands and making technical arrangements, working with stage crews, lighting director and stage manager with logistic details.

Miss Beemer is owner and manager of Creative Critters Child Care Center, at 234 Mifflin Avenue, Suite 2.  The day care opened in August of 2000 and just received it’s Star II certification in the Keystone Star program. Gloria and the staff at Creative Critters are very proud of the excellent care they offer children.

Janice Tellier earned BFA in Theatre from the University of Wisconsin. Her rich experience includes work as a Scenic Artist at a professional Scenic Shop and several off-Broadway and Broadway Houses, where she had the fortune of working with many talented artists including choreographer Merce Cunningham, composer, John Cage, and designer, James L. Joy.

Locally, Janice has been active in the local Theatre community; painting and designing for the Department of Theatre at the University of Scranton and the Marywood University Theatre program; teaching Art at Howard Gardner School; and of course participating in our own Scranton Civic Dance Company.

The mother of Nathanael, Naome, and Zeke Larsen, Janice resides in Scranton. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to us as stage manager and we are fortunate to have her here at The Civic.

Rich Larsen received a BS in Theatre from Northern Arizona University and his MFA in Scenic Design and Technology from San Diego State University.  He is currently a tenured professor at University of Scranton, where he is Director of Theatre and Associate Professor, and involved in several annual productions.
Rich's resume is extensive, as he has been involved in productions all across the country. The Civic Ballet Company is very fortunate to have Rich as our Lighting Designer.

Artistic Director: Helen Gaus

"Leap Above Ballet"
Civic Dance Centre: Official Dance School of the Civic Ballet Company

Classes available:
Lilliputian Department (Ages 3-7)
-Pre-Ballet, Pre-Jazz, and Pre-Tap
 

Beginner - Intermediate - Advanced Levels (Ages 8 - Adult)
-Ballet and Pointe
-Tap, Jazz and Modern

All company members who audition receive at least 1 performing part in our annual Nutcracker performance.

Founder and Artistic Director
Helen Gaus

Company Manager
Gloria Beemer

Executive Board
Jenine Walsh: President
Barbara Frutchey: 1st Vice President
Kathleen Emanuelson: 2nd Vice President
Dawn Gronski: Treasurer
James W. Patterson: Parliamentarian

Directors
Maggie Boland, Lori Carroll, Veronica Dende, Janette Doyle, Wendy Evans, Nancy Hodanich, Rebecca Kameroski, Michelle Manasek, Kristen MacDonald, Shannon McGuire, Karli Musheno, Bridget Murphy, Maure Parchinski, Danielle Pasternak, Debby Porter, Mariellen Sluko

Advisory Board
Mr. John Cardoni, Facility/Technical Director, Scranton Cultural Center
Mrs. JoAnn Cummings, Owner, Sanderson State Street
Ms. Kristin Driesbaugh, Economic Development Specialist, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce
Mrs. Wendy Evans, Executive Director, Scranton Community Concerts
Ms. Jennie Garelli, Health Initiatives Representative at American Cancer Society
Ms. Elaine C. Geroulo, Esq, Geroulo Law
Mrs. Dara Coslett Granza, Executive Director at the Olga and Dorothea Dessin Society
Mrs. Julie Jordan, Julie Jordan Photography
Mrs. Laureen Maloney, Children's Librarian, Lackawanna County Library System
Ms. Lisa Mazzarella, WVIA Radio Personality
Mr. Kevin McDonough, MAC Sign Systems
Mrs. Maria MacDonald, Director, Interior Architecture Programs
Mr. Bernie McGurl, Director, Lackawanna River Corridor
Mr. Francis Melliand, CPA, Snyder & Clemente, Accounts + Consultants
Mr. John Rubino, Interstate Hotels and Resorts
Mrs. Mary Ann Rubino, Mountain View Care Center
Ms. Terra Steele, ProActive Family Chiropractic, Adjunct Instructor Art History
Ms. Janice Tellier, Art teacher, Scenic Designer, Stage Manager
Mrs. Helene Tinsley, Mostly Opera
Mr. Randy Williams, Brand Strategist, Lavelle Strategy Group
Ms. Judy Youshock, AFA Gallery & Heart to Art
Mr. Aaron Yurkanin, Oaktree Photography