Ballet Magnificat! is a professional Christian ballet company founded in

Mississippi Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...

in 1986 and located in the state capital, Jackson. It has been described as the premiere Christian dance company in the United States, and has spawned numerous dance companies and ministries. The

501(c)(3) A 501(c)(3) organization is a United States corporation, trust, unincorporated association or other type of organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code. It is one of the 29 types of 50 ...

non-profit ministry consists of a full-time touring company, pre-professional training program, school of the arts, Summer Dance Intensive, Jr. Dance Intensive, and Brazil satellite company and school. Founder and Artistic Director

Kathy Thibodeaux Kathy Thibodeaux is an American ballet dancer who, in 1986, became co-founder and Artistic Director of Ballet Magnificat!. Born Katherine Ann Denton, on November 9, 1956, in Memphis, Tennessee, the oldest of four girls to Mary Frances Waring and ...

was the 1982 silver medalist at the USA International Ballet Competition (held every four years in Jackson, Mississippi). Founder and Executive Director

Keith Keith may refer to: People and fictional characters * Keith (given name), includes a list of people and fictional characters * Keith (surname) * Keith (singer), American singer James Keefer (born 1949) * Baron Keith, a line of Scottish barons ...

Thibodeaux is a former child actor, best known for portraying “Little Ricky” on the ''I Love Lucy'' TV show and drumming for the groundbreaking Christian rock band David and the Giants. The company's base, Jackson, is the same city as the USA International Ballet Competition. It is the nation's first professional Christian dance company. It is now considered the benchmark for professional Christian dance around the world, and is credited for its role in restoring dance as a form of worship in the church.

Touring company

Composed of 15 dancers on average, the touring company performs nationally and internationally throughout the year. Their performances are hosted by local sponsors and take place in theaters, universities, churches, and schools. Once or twice a year, the company travels overseas and performs to sold-out audiences. They have performed in over 43 countries. A second professional touring company was added in 2004, Ballet Magnificat! Omega, which toured extensively throughout the US and abroad from 2004 to 2019, merging with the original Alpha Company in August 2019.

Trainee program

The pre-professional training program began in 1996 with three dancers, and today has grown to three levels at the Jackson base. This program feeds dancers into the touring company, and provides training and preparation for work in other ministries and dance companies. The program's events company consists of the most advanced level and travels worldwide throughout the year. The trainee program is recognized by the U.S. Immigration Service as a vocational school, and draws students from across the U.S. and many foreign countries each year.

School of the arts

In 1989 the ministry opened a school of the arts in Jackson, which offers dance classes to area students ages 3 through adult.

Brazil satellite

Curitiba, Brazil, became home to the first satellite of Ballet Magnificat! in February 2017, beginning with a professional training program and growing to include a performance company and school of the arts.

Choreographers

In addition to Kathy Thibodeaux, Ballet Magnificat! has depended greatly on former resident choreographer Jiri Sebastian Voborsky (1994–2021), and guest choreographer Tara Thibodeaux Drew, to keep the company's repertoire fresh and innovative.

Repertoire

Ballet Magnificat! performs only original works, unusual in the dance world, with most being full-length story ballets. * ''Even in the Why'' (2020) * ''A Christmas Carol'', the ballet (2019) * ''Snow Queen Returns'' (2018) * ''Heaven Come Down'' (2017) * ''Light Has Come'' (2016) * ''Hosea'' (2015) * ''Prodigal's Journey'' – two-act version (2015) * ''Face 2 Face'' (2013) * ''Stratagem'' (2013) * ''Most Incredible Christmas'' (2012) * ''Snow Queen'' (2011) * ''The Arrival'' (2011) * ''Before His Throne'' (2008) * ''Scarlet Cord'' (2008) * ''A Christmas Dream'' (2006) * ''Hiding Place'' (2006) * ''Ruth'' (2005) * ''Journey of the Prodigal Son'' (2003) * ''Selah'' (2003) * ''Freedom'' (2002) * ''Deliver Us'' (2001) * ''Give Me Jesus'' (2000) * ''Emmanuel'' (2000) * ''Basic Instructions'' (1999) * ''Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs'' (1997) * ''Unveiled Hope'' (1997) * ''Poiema'' (1997) * ''Lord Of All'' (1997) * ''Saviour'' (1996) * ''Known by the Scars'' (1996) * ''God Gets the Glory'' (1995) * ''Veni, Sancte, Spiritus'' (1994) * ''God will Make a Way'' (1993) * ''Sanctuary'' (1992) * ''God of Life'' (1992) * ''Praise Magnificat'' ( 1992) * ''My Father’s World'' (1991) * ''Forever Changed'' ( 1991) * ''A Christmas Festival'' (1991) * ''Thy Kingdom Come'' (1989) * ''Joy'' (1989) * ''Light Eternal'' (1989) * ''Regathering'' (1988) * ''Hebrew'' (1988) * ''Doulos'' (1988) * ''The Calling'' (1987) * ''Creation'' (1987) * ''Painter'' (1986) * ''Sandi Songs'' (1986) * ''Bach'' (1986)

References

{{authority control Dance in Mississippi Magnificat!, Ballet Christian organizations based in the United States Performing groups established in 1986 1986 establishments in Mississippi