members and 1,000 associates. They are women of varied
and diverse backgrounds and talents, united in their deep
trust in a Provident God who loves and cares for all creation.
The congregation has expanded its ministries to meet the
needs of the times in education, campus ministry, health
care, pastoral care, social work, peace and justice concerns,
as well as serving the poor and homeless and those who are
seeking asylum.
PITTSBURGH BALLET
THEATRE’S TERRENCE S. ORR
TO RETIRE AFTER 22 YEARS
AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
After leading the company for 22 years, Artistic Director
Terrence S. Orr has announced he will retire in June 2020
after celebrating the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s upcoming
50th Anniversary Season.
Over more than two decades as artistic director, Orr
has grown the company’s repertory with more than 20
new commissions and
dozens of acquisitions.
He has debuted
ambitious story ballets
like “La Bayadère,”
“Romeo et Juliette” and
“A Streetcar Named
Desire;” curated
major masterworks
by dance giants like
Jerome Robbins, Jiří
Kylián and Twyla
Tharp; and provided a
platform for emerging
choreographers,
including from within the company. His original production
of “The Nutcracker” has been a Pittsburgh classic for close
to 20 years. During his tenure, the company has grown
its ticket sales, school enrollment and campus. It has
debuted the country’s first professional sensory-friendly
production of “The Nutcracker” and increased accessibility
and educational programming in the theater, studio and
community.
“I have made Pittsburgh my home and certainly my life,”
said Orr, who has lived in Sewickley with his wife, PBT
Ballet Mistress Marianna Tcherkassky, since becoming
PBT artistic director in 1997. “It has been exciting to
watch the company grow and rise to incredible heights.
We’ve developed a distinct voice and special place in the
city where you can experience the great classics, the great
choreographers and the emerging voices moving this art
form into the future. It has been my honor to lead this
company for the past 22 years and a great privilege to lead
it through its 50th anniversary. I want to thank the dancers,
musicians and patrons who have become like family. You
have made my time here something I will always cherish.”
Orr, a California native, began his dance career at San
Francisco Ballet, where he became a principal dancer by
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GREENSBURG SALEM
❘
FALL 2019
7