Our History

Beaumont Civic Ballet was founded by Marsha Woody and state chartered as a non-profit education organization with the late Dr. James Bridges as president of the Board in 1971.

Marsha Woody

Founder

Born in Oklahoma City, Marsha Woody received her early education in Beaumont, Texas, and began dance training at the age of six under the late Judith T. Sproule. She graduated at the age of sixteen, and studied under many of the country’s great dance masters. Ms. Woody attended Lamar University, and in 1956, she founded the Marsha Woody Academy of Dance. In the same year, she married Mike Zummo, a local businessman; and later, their daughter, Monique, was born. In 1971, Ms. Woody founded the Beaumont Civic Ballet Company and served as the Founder-Director since its inception. It was her dreams and accomplishments that inspired the Board of Directors and the community that a first-class regional dance company was needed in the Beaumont area—Beaumont Civic Ballet was the first. Since that time, BCB’s calendar has been a busy one with an annual “Nutcracker”, a “Spring Concert”, and often a professional guest company performance and appearances with many of the local civic groups including the Symphony, the Opera, Lamar University, the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, and the Junior League of Beaumont . Ms. Woody was a member of all the major dance teachers’ organizations, and served on the Regional Dance America, Southwest Board as President and Membership Chairman. As President, Ms. Woody and Beaumont Civic Ballet hosted the 1987 Regional Ballet Festival held in Beaumont, which brought over 700 dancers and guests to our community. Ms. Woody was recognized as the outstanding artist in dance by the Southeast Texas Arts Council and was the Southwestern Regional Chairman for the first National Regional Festival held in Houston in 1997. Marsha Woody strived for excellence in dance education for the Academy, Beaumont Civic Ballet, and the community. Since her passing on February 21, 2021 Beaumont Civic Ballet continues to uphold her legacy with grace and elegance.
 

In 1983, Beaumont Civic Ballet became a member of the Southwestern Regional Ballet Association, now known as Regional Dance America, Southwest and was later promoted to Honor Company status. The Company has grown consistently since that time and is now in its 50th year with over 80 dancers, including junior, senior apprentice, and senior members.

Company membership is acquired through open audition each year. Many hours are spent in training and rehearsing for productions that are performed in the Julie Rogers Theatre and for other civic organizations, such as the Junior League of Beaumont, with hopes of bringing the art of dance to a higher level of appreciation. Our dancer also participate in specific fund raising projects for the Company.

Over and over again, Beaumont Civic Ballet has proven to be a healthy and vibrant asset to the Texas cultural environment. BCB offers outstanding performances, welcomes the brilliance of such guest professional companies as Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Baryshnikov, Ballet Florida, Houston Ballet, Beaumont Civic Ballet’s own Robert La Fosse with Stars of American Ballet, the Moiseyev Dance Company from Moscow, the sensational “Tap Dogs”, and most recently Russia’s Georgian State Ballet, while continuing to expand, educate, and excite southeast Texas audiences. In May of 1996 Beaumont Civic Ballet was proud to perform in Austria at the invitation of the International Youth Music Festival. We proudly salute our former BCB company members who have joined professional dance companies, including Edmund La Fosse, Krissy Richmond, Robert La Fosse, Glenn Edgerton, Margo McCann, Allison Odom, Jennifer Mattingly, Kendra Snaufer, and Joshua Spell.

50th

Past Shows of Beaumont Civic Ballet:

...and many original pieces staged by guest choreographers

The Company has been carefully directed in its long-range plan to expose its dancers and
audiences to choreography including contemporary, jazz, and classical ballets

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