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About Us
 Nicolas
Petrov
Ballet Master and Choreographer
In 1967, Nicolas Petrov came to Pittsburgh to take over the
direction and development of the Pittsburgh Playhouse Ballet
Department. His arrival in Pittsburgh marked the beginning
of a new era for the performing arts in Pittsburgh. This city
was enriched by the establishment of a professional dance
company. From a few performances at the Playhouse, then one
season at Syria Mosque, the company then made its home in
the newly opened Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts.
From 1970-1977, he brought the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
to its highest level and established the company as one of
seven United States professional companies. Pittsburgh Ballet
Theatre was acclaimed by such critics as Ann Barsel, Walter
Terry, Clive Barnes, and many others.
Parallel to his work developing the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre,
he served as Director of the Dance Division of the Fine, Applied
and Performing Arts Department of Point Park College where
he founded PBT and in 1977, founded under the same roof, the
American Dance Ensemble. The goal of his new company is to
have a contemporary repertoire to supplement the standard
repertoire of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
Nicolas Petrov brought an unlimited number of the finest
dancers to Pittsburgh such as Natalia Markova, Violette Verdy,
Edward Villella, Peter Schaufuss, and many others. He brought
to this town such great choreographers as Leonide Massine,
Ruth Page, and John Butler, to name a few. He also brought
to Pittsburgh, teachers such as Edward Caton, Frederic Franklin,
Valentina Pereyaslavec, and many more. He has choreographed
over 120 ballets, 8 of which are full-length productions.
Of his American premieres, there are Prokofiev’s “Romeo
and Juliet,” and “The Prince of Pagadas.” World
premieres include “Maria Sabina,” “Steel Symphony,”
and “Americana R.F.D.,” just to name a few. Clive
Barnes wrote, “Mr. Petrov with ‘Scenes de Ballet,’
‘Rite of Spring,’ and his full evening ‘Romeo
and Juliet’ emerged as a choreographer of taste and talent.”
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