Christina Ruocco (left) and Gigi Lobascio (right). Photo by John Posada

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- The Atlantic City Ballet celebrated four decades of artistic excellence in the region at its 40th Anniversary Gala, held at Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The celebration featured a sit-down dinner, a performance, dancing, and a salute to the esteemed ballet company’s accomplished alumni from the past 40 years. Proceeds from the evening will go toward continuing a tradition of inspiring passion for future generations to come. Guests wore ruby red in celebration of the ballet company’s 40th year anniversary.

Founded by Artistic Director Phyllis Papa in 1982, the Atlantic City Ballet has served as one of the cultural treasures of New Jersey, providing artistic experiences to countless individuals of all ages and showcasing talented dancers from around the world. Performing in theaters all along the East Coast and across the country, the company has earned national acclaim for its innovative and original works.

“It’s truly an honor to be celebrating 40 years as a cultural institution in the Atlantic City region,” says Papa.  “The importance of the arts in a community is limitless, and on behalf of the entire Atlantic City Ballet family, we are thrilled to be able to continue providing cultural and educational experiences in our community.”

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife, Dr. La’Quetta Small, are pictured with ACBFounder and Artistic Director PhyllisPapa and members of the ballet company. Photo by John Posada

With a deep commitment to the community where it continues to thrive, in addition to a full slate of annual performance dates, the Atlantic City Ballet offers educational programs designed to fit the needs of a diverse student population. The company’s community outreach initiatives encourage appreciation of and participation in the art form. Upcoming performances at Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino include “Midsummer Night’s Dream” on March 26 and “Carmen” on April 15.

Over the decades, Atlantic City Ballet has introduced countless people of all ages to the arts and culture while showcasing international talent. Performing in theaters all along the East Coast and across the nation for four decades, the ballet company has gained recognition for its innovative works, including “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Dracula,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Carmen.” Since its inception, the Atlantic City Ballet has served as one of the cultural treasures of New Jersey and continues a tradition of dance excellence for future generations of ballet audiences. The Atlantic City Ballet is a 501-c3 corporation.