HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: American Repertory Ballet dancers dressed in their finest at the company’s Platinum Jubilee Gala, which celebrated the 70th year of the company and the Princeton Ballet School.

American Repertory Ballet and Princeton Ballet School celebrated the organization’s 70th anniversary with a sold-out Platinum Jubilee Gala on Saturday, April 20, at Jasna Polana.

This milestone event honored the chairs of the board of trustees from 1954 through to the present. Nine were in attendance, including Nancy Becker, Patrick Bradley, Susan Croll (current chair), DonnaJean Fredeen, Rachel Gray, Penelope Lattimer, Nancy MacMillan, Marie Mascherin, and Charles Metcalf.

“We were thrilled to celebrate these leaders who each made a significant and positive impact, and to give special recognition to Dr. Penelope Lattimer, founder of our renowned DANCE POWER program and current chair of our advisory committee; and Nancy MacMillan, who has served on our board for nearly 45 years and continues to provide the organization with exceptional guidance and support,” said Julie Diana Hench, executive director.

The Gala Committee was chaired by Ngoc Nguyen (trustee), and included Brannan Berman, Jessica Coppola, Nancy MacMillan (trustee), Rebecca Piccone, and JoanMarie Zetterberg.

To mark the landmark anniversary, the organization unveiled a new logo created by Lai Wei, graduate student at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, with guidance from Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv (CGH), the designers of iconic logos such for Mobil, National Geographic, and many others.

“The logo draws inspiration from the iconic ballet technique known as ‘en pointe,’ a fundamental aspect of classical ballet that embodies qualities of grace, elegance, and strength,” said Wei. “Mastering this technique demands unwavering skill, dedication, and practice.”

The evening also included a seated dinner, live music, and a silent auction with a special diamond giveaway from Hamilton Jewelers. Dancers from the Princeton Ballet School Trainee Program performed a short excerpt, choreographed by Luis Napoles, from their upcoming program titled “May Fiesta.” Highland dancers, accompanied by a bagpiper, then gave a glimpse into the Scottish inspiration behind a new work planned by Artistic Director Ethan Stiefel.

The professional company’s season concludes on Saturday, June 15 at 7 p.m. when American Repertory Ballet continues its valued partnership with Princeton Symphony Orchestra with Interwoven at The Princeton Festival held at Morven Museum & Garden. During this evening, a string ensemble conducted by Rossen Milanov will accompany dance works Intrare Forma by Meredith Rainey and Holberg Suite by Arthur Mitchell.