Putting Together a Gala: Behind the Curtain at SAB Ball

February’s SAB Ball, a highly anticipated annual highlight, delivered an evening of captivating artistry and community celebration. The students showcased their talent on the David H. Koch stage while the promenade transformed into an elegant, shimmering reception for an evening of joyous festivities. The SAB Ball, a testament to shared passion, created an unforgettable night of performance, elegance, and community spirit.

Take a look behind the curtain to see all the hard work that brings this event to life!

Planning for the SAB Ball begins over a year before the event takes place. Our skilled staff and benefit chairs leave no detail unattended; their meticulous work, encompassing everything from the menu and invitations to the waiters’ uniforms, ensures a flawlessly executed and fabulous evening. Barbra Silver, SAB’s Senior Director of Special Events and Corporate Sponsorships, leads the charge each year.

“SAB Ball is our largest fundraiser of the year,” she explains. “It raises over $1 million that is used to provide all the elements essential in the development of young artists: the finest teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, wellness programs, and an on-site residence hall. Plus, the Ball now offers a chance for SAB students to dance on the stage of the David H. Koch Theater, home to New York City Ballet.”

The exciting growth of the Ball’s performance component has indeed been a highlight of the past two years, and a large part of planning the event is choosing what the students will perform. This year’s program featured Balanchine’s Walpurgisnacht Ballet and excerpts from Western Symphony, Justin Peck’s Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes, and a new work by Emily Kikta, Sowande Suite. Jenifer Ringer, SAB’s Director of Intermediate/Advanced Divisions and Artistic Programming, shared her insight on choosing program that balances the needs of the students with creating an engaging experience for the audience:

“[Artistic Director] Jonathan Stafford wanted to prioritize giving an impactful performance opportunity to everyone in the Intermediate and Advanced Division this year, so I tried to think of ways to get all 107 students on the stage. I was most excited about Emily Kikta’s new choreography that highlighted our Intermediate Men and Advanced Men programs, because those classes, especially the Advanced Men, are so large this year.”

Once the program is chosen, students begin rehearsals with our faculty stagers and choreographers. Not only are students learning new repertoire, but they are also able to gain insight into what life is like in a professional ballet company, balancing daily classes with demanding rehearsals.

“We do lose some class time when we go into rehearsals and performances, but the experience of dancing in choreographed ballets with sustained and difficult dancing is very different from a classroom setting where there are shorter combinations and a lot of stopping in order to fine tune and polish,” Ms. Ringer continues. “So all three components of the curriculum – studio, rehearsal, and stage – are vital to creating a well-rounded dancer ready to eventually launch into the professional realm.”

And the students can feel the positive impact of this added performance opportunity. Keenan, a student in the Advanced Men’s class, danced a featured role in Western Symphony and Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes. Of the experience, he shares:

“Rehearsing for SAB Ball was a bonding experience. I was lucky to dance ‘Rodeo’ by Justin Peck because every rehearsal would allow us to connect with each other and collaborate on making each image. When we got to the day of the performance all five of us were prepared and excited to dance and show our friendship on stage. During the performance, we performed to each other as Craig Hall encouraged us to do. Performing on the Koch Theater was magical and left us with a huge sense of accomplishment.”

This experience is essential. As Ms. Ringer says, “The performance is the very reason all of these students put so much work into the studios every day – any performance opportunity is always a huge highlight for the students. We work daily on technique in our classes, but it is on the stage that they get to explore and learn about their artistry and how they want to communicate the essence of who they are with a live audience.”

So, the stage is set, every detail meticulously planned, ballets rehearsed and perfected. It’s time for the guests to arrive!

Current SAB families are invited to attend the performance element of the Ball at a nominal cost, giving the evening an added sense of community. This year’s Ball honored SAB alumnus Justin Peck for his dedication to the School, as well as Freed of London, a partner and dedicated supporter of SAB for nearly 40 years.

Following the performance, benefit guests emerged from the theater, stepping into an enchanting scene of dinner and dancing that stretched into the night. It’s a truly special occasion, uniting students, donors, families, faculty, and staff to celebrate the School’s excellence and raise crucial funds that empower our students to flourish.