After an extensive search, Ballet San Antonio (BSA) has announced the hiring of their new executive director, Jenniann Colón.
Antonio Executive Director Jenniann Colón
Steven Bull served in the position of interim executive director since August 2015, seeing the company through productions of “Swan Lake” and “The Nutcracker,” as well as the hiring of Artistic Director Willy Shives from the Joffrey Ballet. In addition, the company announced that they have also recently hired five new dancers.
Colón is an interesting choice for Ballet SA. She earned her bachelors of arts in American Studies, minoring in African-American Studies from the University of Texas and later went on to secure her masters of arts in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from the University of Connecticut.
Most recently, Colón served as the director of communications for Academica Management SouthWest, the home company for Brooks Academies, right here in San Antonio.
“We support our network of public charter schools by providing school administrators and staff with critical financial, analytical, and operational services,” states the company website. “Together, we cultivate high-performing schools focused on student and community needs.”
Ballet SA’s news release states that “Colón has over ten years of experience working with nonprofit organizations, with an expertise in strategic planning, content development, social media, and communications. Colón has experience in community outreach and branding.”
She has a hearty volunteer resume, too, including service on the Texas Public Radio Community Advisory Board, the Rotary Club of San Antonio, and the San Antonio STEM Council.
Colón was extensively vetted for the position with Ballet SA, subjected to several rounds of interviews with a variety of panels including a team from the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.
According to Ballet SA Board Chair Christine Varela Mayer, Colón has surpassed early expectations – and more – in her first week on the job, already streamlining processes and cutting costs.
“She’s smart and energetic. You always hope that a new hire will come up to speed in a reasonable amount of time,” Mayer said. “You always hope that the new hire will live up to their resumé and work out as well as expected. We are simply blown away by Jenni.”
The company is on an upward trajectory, Meyer said, since becoming the inaugural resident ballet company at The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in September 2014. Ticket sales have increased in addition to the number of contributions and size of contributions since last year.
Ballet SA has made tremendous strides over the past several years. They have continued to raise the bar for themselves with aggressive programming and community outreach.
Ballet SA looks forward to the next generation at the company, Mayer very simply points out. “With this new leadership in place, we have the executives to take us to the next level.”
The next production for Ballet San Antonio is “Peter Pan,” with four performances Feb. 12-14 at the Tobin Center. Tickets may be purchased online at the Tobi Box Office, by phone at 210.223.8624 or in person at the Tobin Center Box Office at 100 Auditorium Circle. Click here for details.
*Top image: Ballet San Antonio rehearses “The Nutcracker” in the studio in November 2015. Photo by Tami Kegley.
Related Stories:
“The Nutcracker” at 30: Ballet SA Marks a Milestone, Looks to Future
Ballet San Antonio: A New Season With ‘Swan Lake’
Ballet San Antonio on Track this Season Despite Departing Directors
