Montgomery Ballet Finds Its Forever Home — A Historic First Since 1958
MONTGOMERY, AL — May 13, 2025 — After nearly seven decades of resilience, growth, and unwavering community support, Montgomery Ballet proudly announces a transformative milestone: for the first time since its founding in 1958, the company will own a home of its own.
Thanks to a generous gift, the Ballet will move into the former Dixie Cleaners building on Coliseum Boulevard — a permanent, purpose-driven space that marks a new era for the organization and the arts in the River Region.
“This isn’t just a gift to Montgomery Ballet. It’s a gift to the entire community,” said Artistic-Executive Director Dionysios “Danny” Mitsios. “Owning our space gives us the ability to dream bigger, serve more people, and create a sustainable future for ballet in Central Alabama.”
Dance Lives Here
Montgomery Ballet is proud to say: Dance Lives Here. This guiding principle reflects more than a commitment to performance excellence — it reflects a way of life.
Unlike many local performance organizations that hire talent for just a show, Montgomery Ballet’s artists live in the River Region. They rent homes, buy groceries, attend local events, support small businesses, and attend churches. Some have even bought homes and planted roots in Montgomery — becoming part of the city’s vibrant cultural quilt.
Montgomery Ballet attracts dancers from across the United States and around the world, enriching the region’s diversity and contributing to its creative vitality. These artists don’t just bring ballet to Montgomery — they bring life to it.
A Journey of Perseverance
The road to this historic moment has been shaped by persistence.
In 2020, the company left its longtime home in the Courtyard Building on Eastern Boulevard and relocated temporarily to Cloverdale. In 2022, with the support of the late Mike Watson, the Ballet secured a new space on East Fairview Avenue and began planning for long-term development.
When Mr. Watson passed, the building was sold, once again displacing the company. Yet, the Ballet pressed forward — rehearsing and conducting classes at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Capitol Heights and never losing sight of its mission.
In 2024, a vital transitional space in the Eastbrook Shopping Center was made possible by Lee Wilcoxon and financial support by Julie Byrd and the Junior League. Now, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Bubba Dean — and with the architectural guidance of Andy Bozeman — the Ballet will finally step into a space it can call home.
A Vision for the Future
Renovations on the new Coliseum Boulevard facility will begin this summer. The updated space will include:
- Two fully equipped studios for daily classes and rehearsals
- A dedicated costume shop to support productions and education programs
- A black box theater — housed within the larger studio — offering flexible, intimate performance space and affordable rentals for fellow arts organizations
This is Phase One of a larger vision: to establish a vibrant arts hub that supports both Montgomery Ballet and the broader creative community across Central Alabama.
Montgomery Ballet doesn’t just serve Montgomery. It tours to Selma, Greenville, Pike Road, and currently provides dance education to students at Tuskegee Public School. The company’s presence and impact ripple through the region, and this new facility will ensure that work continues and grows.
Help Us Build This Dream
To realize this vision, Montgomery Ballet is launching a fundraising campaign and calling on the community for support. The Ballet welcomes:
- Financial donations
- Material contributions (flooring, mirrors, lighting, HVAC systems, etc.)
- Skilled volunteer services
- Community ideas and feedback
“We want the people of Montgomery to feel this is their building,” said Mitsios. “Whether you’re an artist, a parent, a local business, or someone who simply believes in the power of the arts — we invite you to be part of this journey.”
To contribute or get involved, contact Artistic-Executive Director Danny Mitsios at info@montgomeryballet.org or 334.409.0522.
Together, let’s build a home for the arts — where Dance Lives Here, and stays.
