A Community Production: Triangle Youth Ballet’s Partnership with the Carolina Theatre

Triangle Youth Ballet and their annual production of The Nutcracker at the Carolina Theatre has become a holiday tradition for families throughout the Triangle. Director Lauren Lorentz de Haas tells the tale of how it all began and why dance and performing arts will help inspire future generations. 

Carolina Theatre: Can you tell us more about your own story and why you decided to create Triangle Youth Ballet? 

Lauren Lorentz de Haas: I wanted to give my students more performance opportunities and a Nutcracker production would be far away from the annual recital season.  In 1995 the only Nutcracker in the area was the NC School of the Arts traveling to Raleigh.  When the radio announced those with unused tickets could get a refund because the wait list was so long, it seemed like a great idea.  I thought it would take a few weeks each Fall.  (I may have miscalculated that….) 

CTD: You have been the Director of Triangle Youth Ballet for over 35 years. What has been the most inspiring part of that journey for you? 

LLH: The entire thing is amazing!!  I am still in touch with dancers from the 1995 premier season. We all become a big family and the alums stay in touch. My favorite thing may be watching the kids grow into their roles throughout the rehearsal season.   Another moment that is really amazing is a phone call I got from a stranger.  In 2009 a man I never met, Andrew McAfee, called to ask if we would like to have live music — and the Tchaikovsky Virtuosi was born.  Thanks to him, we are one of the few regional ballet companies that has an orchestra.  When I enter the theater and hear them tuning, I still get goosebumps. 

CTD: What are some of the other partnerships and events that Triangle Youth Ballet participates in throughout the year? 

LLH: We are really, really busy.  We have participated in the University of North Carolina School of the Arts Festival of Dance every year since it began and have been members of Regional Dance America since 2005.  These are two adjudicated dance festivals with classes and performances. We provide the ballet curriculum at Durham Arts Council.  Right after Nutcracker, we are doing our 3rd annual Winter Wonderland performance fundraiser for the Chapel Hill Service League and the Christmas House.  We have also partnered with the American Red Cross for a blood drive in combination with our performance of Dracula.  We hope to do that again.  Our Dracula is coming out of the vault at the Carolina Theatre in October 2025.  In addition, we do a gala fundraiser every year with a Fall Show, a Spring Show, and two end-of-the-year showcases for all our students. 

CTD: Why is dance so important to kids and families and how can we create more opportunities to participate within our community? 

LLH: Dance classes are a great way for kids of any age to learn: how to manage time, how to work together, how to remember, and how to build on what you remembered. Things you learn in a kinetic and experiential way seem to stick with you. Since most of our productions are really family events, the entire family is working together to create something meaningful. There is unique value in live theater and people working together. Triangle Youth Ballet is honored to be part of this community: the performers, the students, the audiences, the musicians, and all the people at the Carolina Theatre who help get our productions on stage. 

Every year, the Carolina Theatre hosts more than 70 local and regional organizations to introduce them to Triangle audiences and help create awareness for their work. All of this is made possible because of the generous support of our patrons, members, and supporters whose donations help to grow these opportunities every year. Please consider making a gift to help share these exceptional performances with our community and ensure they continue for years to come. 

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