Ballet Austin wanted to celebrate the move into its new home, the Butler Dance Education Center, with a grand opening event for the Austin community. Working with the Ballet Austin team, we created an indoor and outdoor event to showcase the new space, the talents and accomplishments of Ballet Austin, the variety of dance classes open to the public, and neighboring businesses and restaurants. More than 3,000 attendees came out to support the new center.
Case Study
As Ballet Austin’s 50th season was drawing to a close, it was not only celebrating its Golden Anniversary but also the move into the newly renovated $10.3 million Butler Dance Education Center. We came to the table in mid-2007 to help create the vision and logistical plan for an event that would throw open the doors of the Butler Dance Education Center to all of Austin.
Serving as the project manager for this all-day, indoor/outdoor event, we worked with Ballet Austin staff and dancers, PR representatives and event execution teams to shape an event that simultaneously took Ballet to the streets while inviting Austin to come into the new space and experience dance. With seven rehearsal studios, a Pilates Studio and a community board room inside the 32,000 sq. ft. space, a city block shut down for the event, and little control over the number of people who would turn out for the event, we had our work cut out for us.
Working with the team, we were able to craft an event that appealed to a wide range of guests. The final event boasted more than 3,000 attendees over the course of five hours and resulted in an incredible friend-raising opportunity for the Ballet. In addition, the Ballet Austin Academy registered $15,000 worth of sales directly tied to the opening. The event, split between indoor and outdoor activities, was a resounding success and lived up to our “Find Your Center” theme.
- Decades-themed Dance Party
- Classes ranging from hula to tap and from beginning ballet to ballroom dancing
- Pilates demonstrations
- Ballet Austin Guild membership drive
- Free massages from neighbor Milk + Honey Spa
- Tours and information
- Ribbon cutting ceremony and grand unveiling of the Butler Dance Education Center
- Four local restaurant vendors selling healthy snacks (Taverna, Cantina Laredo, Paciugo and Leaf)
- Donated beverages by IZZE, Sweet Leaf Tea and H-E-B
- 60’x30’ tent with a 20’x20’ stage
- Dance, Dance Revolution video game for kids and adults
- Kids’ arts activities by the Austin Children’s Museum and Umlauf Sculpture Garden
- Musical performance by Rhythm Congress
Yoga Class at Ballet Austin
Ballet Austin’s New Home
Dance Class at Ballet Austin
Grand Opening Crowd
