In the news

Verge - Don a tut to Bike for the Ballet
August 2, 2011
VERGE: Why is childhood obesity an important cause for the ballet?
FRANKS: The most important contribution dance can make in the 21st Century is to reinstate the lost culture of movement among youth. Once of the first local organizations to recognize a need for art outreach, Augusta Ballet has always served children most affected by this epidemic.

Metro Spirit - So You Think You Can Dance?
December 1, 2010
AUGUSTA, GA - According to the Augusta Ballet, the answer to that question, no matter who you are, is “yes.” That’s one of the reasons they are holding the Anyone Can Dance Camp for kids on Monday-Wednesday, December 20-22. “We believe that anyone can dance who has a passion for it,” said Jennifer Franks, executive director of Augusta Ballet. “Kids will learn all kinds of moves with different dance styles in this camp.” The camp is part of the ballet’s new partnership with the Medical College of Georgia’s Smart Study and Operation Frontline, a national nonprofit that is a program of the Share Our Strength nutrition education program.

Beaujolais for the Ballet Wine Tasting - Bottle Report
November 20, 2010
Event: It was an evening of Beaujolais, a wine that traditionally features only a single grape but yields a variety of wines that can please almost any palate. The Augusta Ballet held its first ever Beaujolais for the Ballet to fund its Anyone Can Dance Camp being held in December. The camp, in partnership with the Medical College of Georgia’s nationally recognized Smart Study and the national non-profit organization Operation Frontline, joins the fight against childhood obesity. The Paine House, adjacent to the Paine College Campus, served as the backdrop for an outdoor tasting that featured 10 different Beaujolais.

The New Spirit of the Augusta Ballet
September 24, 2010
The new spirit of the ballet stems from being debt-free, and the question is what do you do with that gift to better serve? In New York, you have access to greater collections of art. You can develop an eye and sensibility, and it’s a great premium. I wrongfully feared I would loose that connection in the Southeast. Augusta Ballet offers a global window to the CSRA; taking artistic chances is what attracted me to the Ballet along with our shared spirit of believing in who you are where you are (versus letting a place or circumstance define you). They also care about community; Philadelphia taught me this virtue. When people look at what we do, we want them to know that we benefit them.

Arts Weekly Podcast
August 21, 2010
Arts Weekly Host Brenda Durant of the Greater Augusta Arts Council continues Westobou Festival coverage along with arts events for the week of August 21, 2010. Special Guests Jennifer Franks, Executive Director of the Augusta Ballet and Tom Supensky and Betsy Borgati representing the Clay Artists of the Southeast.