PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Ballet is settling into its long-awaited new headquarters on North Broad Street.
Atop the new five-story building just below Callowhill is a spacious studio with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that let the public see dancers rehearse. Philadelphia Ballet Artistic Director Angel Corella joked that he didn't want the feature to be a distraction.
"We hope that there's not any traffic accidents because people are looking up to the dancers!"
The new construction extends the ballet's previous cramped property out to Broad Street, according to CEO Shelly Power.
Mike DeNardo/KYW Newsradio
"We couldn't grow the school because we were locked in with only four studios. And now with our eight studios, including the dance innovation lab, we're able to expand and offer more classes to adults, to children on the weekends."
Power said state funds and donations have covered about $35 million of the $50 million cost. She hopes that once people see the building when the ribbon is cut on Sept. 18, it'll spur even more donations.
