LAURINE RYAN PERRY, a fine wine key accounts manager for West Greenwich-based Mancini Beverage, was recently appointed the new president for Festival Ballet Providence’s board of trustees. Perry succeeds Alan Weiss, who served as the board’s president since 2019. Perry has been involved with Festival Ballet Providence since 1997 and first joined the board in 2010. The local dance company is the second-largest ballet company in New England, which is known for its annual “The Nutcracker” production.
What attracted you to getting involved with Festival Ballet Providence? I have had an affinity for dance my entire life. I was a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher prior to going into the wine business. Festival Ballet Providence is not only a home for professionals and performances, but also an exceptional school for all ages and ability levels. [The company] gives the gift of dance and culture on so many levels to so many people.
What are your plans and goals for the organization and how will they be achieved? There are many plans I would like to see come to fruition at Festival Ballet Providence. We are currently focusing on new branding developments and looking at a potential expansion in real estate. Festival Ballet is the only full-time resident professional ballet company in Rhode Island, and we will continue to expand our programs to the community and the region. We have added many outreach and adult programs, from expanded types of movements to classes for adults with cognitive issues. We are truly innovating the meaning of “ballet.”
What, if any, new performances and productions are slated to be introduced by Festival Ballet Providence? For the first time, the Festival Ballet Providence has partnered with the RISD [Rhode Island School of Design] Museum for the very first show of our season, “Off The Wall.” This show pairs choreographers and curators to bring art from the museum’s collection to life by inspiring brand-new works of dance. In December, we will be returning to our magnificent “Nutcracker” production, which premiered last year to great reviews and accolades. I’m also proud of our new ProviDANCE afterschool program, entering its second year in Providence and Pawtucket. This program provides transportation to our studio on our “Ballet Bus.” Our students in this program are so inspired and engaged, this allows us to continue our community outreach that Festival Ballet has done since inception.
Is there optimism that the organization can fully rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic this year? If so, how? Absolutely. By reason of the strong leadership of our executive director, Kathleen Breen Combes, and past President Alan Weiss, we were not only able to survive but come out stronger. We are one of the first organizations to do live performances. We mounted a new and highly successful “Nutcracker.” We carefully balanced the opening of our school with safety precautions and are now at higher-than-pre-COVID attendance.
