History of Florida Dance Theatre

Florida Dance Theatre was founded in 1994 by Artistic Director Carol Krajacic Erkes. The company, formerly Lakeland Ballet, is Polk County’s only professional dance company, and over the years, has built a reputation for artistic excellence and innovative programming.

Famous ballet choreographer, George Balanchine, was once quoted as saying, “But first we need a school.” This is exactly how Florida Dance Theatre began. The doors of the Lakeland School of Ballet opened in 1993, and only one year after the school’s founding, many people involved began expressing how nice it would be to have a performing outlet. So, Ms. Erkes gathered a Board of Directors, rented a larger studio space, and established the professional company, Lakeland Ballet. Over the years as dancers came to the company and a repertoire began establishing itself, Ms. Erkes realized that she had a company which not only excelled in ballet, but was quite proficient in modern and jazz dance as well. The decision was made to change the name to Florida Dance Theatre so as to encompass all the techniques of dance. Florida Dance Theatre has grown tremendously over the past decade, and the future looks very promising.

With the continuing strength of the Academy, Florida Dance Theatre has been able to offer its love of the art form not only to students of dance, but to the community through its many outreach initiatives. The professional company provides lecture demonstrations and mini-performances for area schools and organizations. An “Intensive Workshop” is offered at the Academy of Florida Dance Theatre in June for serious students of dance, and the unique “Summer Youth Dance Camp,” which focuses on giving children of economically disadvantaged families the opportunity to take dance classes, is held in the month of July.

The professional company holds three main-stage productions each season. Two repertoire performances, one in the fall and the other in the spring, consisting of original works and repertory standards, as well as the classical favorite “Nutcracker Sweets” where nearly 100 area children and youth join the professional dancers on stage to create a magical holiday treat. Between performances, Florida Dance Theatre offers master classes, workshops, and partners with other arts organizations to bring the living art of dance to the community and surrounding areas.