Ballet Theatre of Maryland (BTM) provides Maryland with rich traditional and innovative programs that entertain, inspire and enlighten through a language more powerful than words – the language of classical and contemporary American dance. 

Originally named The Ballet Theatre of Annapolis, the organization was founded in November 1978 as a private non-profit corporation governed by a twelve-person Board of Trustees, and established residency at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis. In 1980, Edward Stewart became Artistic Director and led the company until his death in 2002. In 1996, the company achieved professional status. In 2000, the organization’s name was changed to Ballet Theatre of Maryland, Inc. to fulfill a new mission of serving the State of Maryland. Dianna Cuatto joined BTM as Artistic Director at the start of the 2003-2004 season and has since won numerous awards for her choreography with BTM.  She begins her ninth season in Fall 2011.

As the state’s premier professional ballet company, Ballet Theatre of Maryland currently:

• Conducts over 30 full-length professional ballet performances per season of both classical and contemporary works, performed at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, The Key Auditorium at St. John’s College, The Chesapeake Arts Center, Avalon Theatre, the Bowie Performing Arts Center, and other presenting theaters throughout Maryland;
   
• Produces a Family Series of dance performances designed to introduce underserved populations to the art of dance with the Boys and Girls Club of Anne Arundel County, and serves organizations such as CASA, Casey Cares and the Stanton House with special performances;
   
• Delivers over 50 lecture/demonstrations or “Informances” per season at schools and libraries throughout Maryland, as well as Rotary Clubs, senior centers and shopping malls and provides mini-performances for school children of our season productions;
  
  
• Conducts an Apprenticeship Training Program, Levels I-IV, attracting top dancers throughout the U.S. to train with Ballet Theatre of Maryland.
   
• Educates through BTM’s School of Classical and Contemporary Dance; offering dance training for students ages 2 to adult, beginner through professional level, including a 6-week Summer Intensive Dance Program and Choreographic Institute. Ballet Theatre of Maryland holds classes at Maryland Hall and our Merritt Annex studios in Annapolis, as well as at the Academy Art Museum on the Eastern Shore and at the Chesapeake Arts Center in Brooklyn Park, MD.