American Ballroom Theater

Artistic Direction: Pierre Dulaine , Yvonne Marceau

Creation: 1984

Executive Director Otto Cappel (active 1984 – 2009) along with showdance champions and Broadway dance couple Pierre Dulaine & Yvonne Marceau founded the American Ballroom Theater Company (ABrT) in 1984 and established the company’s educational arm, Dancing Classrooms, in 1994. Internationally renowned performers and teachers, Dulaine & Marceau are four-time winners of the British Exhibition Championships, earned the 1993 Dance Magazine Award, and received the 1989 – 1990 Astaire Award for Best Dancing on Broadway for the roles they created and choreographed as the mellifluous couple in Tommy Tune’s Grand Hotel.

Dulaine & Marceau have been faculty members at both the School of American Ballet and The Juilliard School, as well as guest teachers at Alvin Ailey. In 2005 they received the Americans for the Arts Award for Education.

Most recently, their influence has extended into films with the release of the major motion picture “Take The Lead”. The film, starring Antonio Banderas as Pierre Dulaine, was inspired by Pierre’s teaching experience in schools. Ms. Marceau has choreographed for various companies and events, including the Julia Roberts film “Mona Lisa Smile”.

In the Spring of 2010, American Ballroom Theater changed its name to Dancing Classrooms.

“Ms. Marceau and Mr. Dulaine are a dancing dream and the way they melt into and out of each other’s arms ought to serve as a required course in partnering for the young.” – New York Times

Source : Dancing Classrooms ‘s website

More information : dancingclassrooms.com