History of Ballet Des Moines

January 2002 - Ballet Theatre of Des Moines, under the artistic direction of Julie Grooters, is established as a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization.

December 2002 - Ballet Theatre of Des Moines presents its first production of The Nutcracker at Hoyt Sherman Place Theater.

March 2003 - Ballet Theatre of Des Moines presents its first spring show: Swan Lake and Divertimento.

March 2004 - Ballet Theatre of Des Moines presents its second spring show, which is also the first production of Project Unity: Celebrating Diversity Through Dance. The original score for Project Unity, composed by Brian "Taz" Grant, is performed for the first time.

September 2004 - Ballet Theatre of Des Moines moves to its new home for training and rehearsals in the East Village of Des Moines, thanks to a generous donation from Kirk Blunck, of Herbert Lewis Kruse Blunck.

December 2004 - Ballet Theatre of Des Moines presents its third production of The Nutcracker, featuring Iowa natives and professional dancers Stacy Lowenberg and Lori Grooters. The Nutcracker is Hoyt Sherman Place's performance with the second highest attendance for 2004.

July 2005 - Ballet Theatre of Des Moines names Serkan Usta as Artistic Director.

August 2005 - The Ballet Theatre of Des Moines Guild is established, providing opportunities for individuals to promote and support the organization.

December 2005 - Ballet Theatre of Des Moines presents its fourth production of The Nutcracker.

March 2006 - Ballet Theatre of Des Moines becomes Ballet Des Moines, with a renewed focus on bringing a professional ballet company to central Iowa.

May 2006 - Ballet Des Moines presents its spring production: New Beginnings, a triple bill featuring original choreography by Ma Cong, Serkan Usta, and Lori Grooters. New Beginnings also marks the return of a professional ballet company to Des Moines, with eight professionals under contract for Ballet Des Moines.