Media City Ballet Becomes Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre

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Media City Ballet principals, from left, Natasha Middleton, artistic director; her father Andrei Tremaine and Cindy Pease, executive director, announced the company's name change to Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre on Thursday. (photo by Joyce Rudolph)

Media City Ballet officials announced last Thursday they are changing the name to Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre, which reflects the 10 year-old company’s aspirations to branch out from Burbank and San Fernando Valley to Los Angeles. Artistic director chose the name in honor of her father who once used the name Pacific Ballet for his company.

By Joyce Rudolph
BurbankNBeyond

Media City Ballet announced Thursday that it has changed its name to Pacific Ballet Dance Theater during a luncheon in the Buena Vista Library Auditorium.

Media City Ballet principals, from left, Natasha Middleton, artistic director; her father Andrei Tremaine and Cindy Pease, executive director, announced the company's name change to Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre on Thursday. (photo by Joyce Rudolph)

Company principals Cindy Pease, executive director; Natasha Middleton, artistic director; and Middleton’s father Andrei Tremaine, who danced with the international company Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, welcomed more than a dozen prospective supporters who were invited to offer uggestions for taking the ballet to the next level.

Over the last 10 years the Burbank-based company has produced ballet performances at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, Northridge Performing Arts Center, Starlight Bowl in Burbank,  and in 2011 presented its first performance at the Ford Amphitheatre. The company has also conducted educational performances at schools in the Burbank, Glendale and Los Angeles unified school districts.

“We have changed the name of the ballet company because we are growing from Burbank and the San Fernando Valley to the West side, because the intention is to bring the company global — to create a worldwide touring company,” Pease said.

The name change is also a way to honor Middleton’s father’s legacy, Middleton said.

Tremaine was the artistic director of his own company Pacific Ballet Theatre located near Los Angeles from 1963 to 1986. Middleton is continuing what has been passed down to her from her father, a combination of choreography, tradition and style that originated from the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Tremaine said, as well as her grandmother, Elena Wortova, who danced with the original Ballet Russe.

“It’s nice to see my old company name out there,” he said. “And the legacy continues.”

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