ARB/Princeton Ballet School Announces New Studio in Brunswick

American Repertory Ballet/Princeton Ballet School is pleased to announce that it plans to be a resident member of a new, state-of-the-art performing arts complex in downtown New Brunswick. The building, which will be known as the New Brunswick Cultural Center, is slated to open in the fall of 2019. ARB operations included in the new facility will be administrative offices, rehearsal space for the performing company, and two studio spaces for its acclaimed DANCE POWER program and an expanded New Brunswick presence of the Ballet School. (The Ballet School will maintain its Princeton and Cranbury studio operations.)

Interim offices and studios will relocate to 80 Albany Street (the organization's prior headquarters) while the two-and-a-half-year project is completed.

"American Repertory Ballet has long been committed to the New Brunswick community," said Charles Metcalf, Chair, Board of Trustees. "With the exciting fruition of the long awaited arts center, we will finally have a true home as New Brunswick's resident ballet company. The new facility will also permit us to expand the New Brunswick presence of Princeton Ballet School, and better serve our acclaimed DANCE POWER program as it enters its 32nd year in New Brunswick."

The project is being led by the City of New Brunswick, the New Brunswick Development Corporation (DEVCO), Middlesex County and several additional agencies and organizations. Collectively, they will fund the construction of the new multi-purpose building where the Crossroads Building and George Street Playhouse currently reside. Demolition of those buildings is scheduled for May 2016.

Details of the complex itself include two stages: one an intimate-sized space and the other larger, capable of seating 475 people. This bigger space is complete with an orchestra pit and a larger, expanded back stage that will allow for a wide range of productions. Additional amenities include an in-lobby bar, elevators to the balcony level and much more.

By early March 2017, American Repertory Ballet/Princeton Ballet School will have relocated to its former address at 80 Albany Street in downtown New Brunswick while the new facility is constructed; it is just a few short blocks from its current space at 7 Livingston Ave. In order to facilitate a quick move, the administrative offices will be closed March 2 and 3. They will reopen for business on March 6. All Princeton Ballet School and DANCE POWER classes during this period will be held at 7 Livingston Ave. through Sunday, March 12. Classes will be held at 80 Albany Street beginning Monday, March 13; all teachers and class times remain the same.

Given the estimated completion date, American Repertory Ballet is planning to open its 2019-2020 season in the new space. "American Repertory Ballet's mission to bring the best of classical and contemporary dance to audiences throughout New Jersey take a giant leap forward with our partnership with the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center," said Douglas Martin, ARB's Artistic Director?. "Together with George Street Playhouse, Rutgers University and the Middlesex County Cultural Commission, this performing arts center promises to redefine New Brunswick as center for arts and culture in New Jersey. It has been our dream to have a permanent home in New Brunswick for more than 30 years and ARB is both thrilled and honored that this day has finally arrived."

The two dance studios will allow Princeton Ballet School and DANCE POWER operations to expand not only in New Brunswick but into surrounding communities. "I am very excited about building our presence in New Brunswick with the new performing arts center," said Pamela Levy, Princeton Ballet School Director. "By having a permanent home in New Brunswick we will be able to nurture our DANCE POWER program as well as our school, and provide world-class dance instruction for many students throughout Middlesex County."

The arts development project is being hailed as transformative, not only for American Repertory Ballet/Princeton Ballet School, but the entire New Brunswick community. "We could not be more excited about this project," said Metcalf. "Together, with our partners, patrons and performers, American Repertory Ballet/Princeton Ballet School will continue to be the leading ballet organization in New Jersey and use this move and expansion as a catalyst for continued growth."

For more information about American Repertory Ballet and Princeton Ballet School please visit: www.arballet.org