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Meet our New Costume Shop Manager, Ronald Altman

 

Photo by Katie Aaberg

By Katie Aaberg

Meet our new costume shop manager, Ronald Altman. Originally from northern Wisconsin, he has lived and traveled all over the US and abroad. His interest in dance and costuming started almost simultaneously early in his life: In high school he developed an interest for costuming and soon after started his dance career in college. Ron went on to dance with several dance companies including, Duluth Ballet, Academy of the Tidewater Ballet, Joffrey Concert Group, North Carolina Dance Theater, St. Louis Ballet, and New York Theater Ballet. Apart from this, Ron has danced in countless guest performances across the US, and in Japan and Iceland.

In total, he danced for over 20 memorable years, all while refining and developing his costume-design skills. Unlike other performers, Ron simultaneously worked in the studio and in the costume shop. During his time as a performer he created countless costumes for short dance works and full length ballets. While in New York, he worked with costume designer Barbara Matera Ltd. to create costumes for Broadway musicals such as Beauty and the Beast, Sunset Boulevard, Damn Yankees, Carousel, Crazy for You, and A Christmas Carol.

Photo by Katie Aaberg. “I am thrilled to be working with a ballet company I have observed for years.”

He received his Masters Degree in Dance from Ohio State University and joined the faculty and staff at the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2017. During his time in Nebraska, he worked as the costume shop manager for theater and dance, and taught costume design, costume technology, costume history, and ballet technique classes.

Ron’s unique background of both being a performer and costume designer will be valuable in the upcoming season. He states that he has “great empathy for the dancers – having been one myself – and recognize the importance of functionality in a costume. I want the dancers to feel good and comfortable in what they are wearing.” 

Welcome, Ron! We are excited to present his work to you in our upcoming season. 

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Command Performance Benefits Humane Society of West Michigan

“Pas & Paws” for Humane Society of West Michigan

Kittens and puppies and ballet—oh my!

Due to the popular demand for our upcoming run of “Black & White: Swan Lake,” we’ve added a special command performance on Tuesday, February 14. But that’s not the best part: We’ve partnered with the good folks at Humane Society of West Michigan (HSWM), too, and it’s called “Pas & Paws” (see what we did there?).

What does that mean exactly? Well, a sizable portion of the proceeds from the evening’s ticket sales will go to help in HSWM’s mission to promote the humane treatment and responsible care of animals through education, example, placement, and protection, that’s what. How great is that?

So, in addition to enjoying the amazing performance of “Black & White: Swan Lake,” you’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about the services provided by HSWM, including the adoption process. We even hear there will even be a few furry four-legged friends in attendance—in bow ties!—to greet guests in the lobby.

And our good friends at Gilmore Collection have generously offered to donate 15% of your check if you dine at Gilly’s at The B.O.B. before the show. Gilly’s is the restaurant group’s delicious seafood concept which is conveniently located just a couple of blocks away. You could totally park once and walk to both locations. Just make sure to let your server know by showing your tickets. Reservations are not required but are encouraged, so call 616.356.2000 to make yours today. We mean, just look at these delicious plates of food!

 

What a wonderful way to spend Valentine’s Day evening, whether you’re single, coupled, and/or parents with kids but no babysitter, right? Tickets are available at here or by calling 616.454.4771. We hope to see you there!

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