Nancy Gore

Nancy Gore graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1970. She has performed with local civic companies, community theater, and university musicals and has also participated in numerous workshops and masters classes from Las Vegas to New York.

Nancy has owned and operated her studio, Ballet Abilene, since 1983. Her ballet company, Abilene Ballet Theatre, was also established in 1983 and became a performing member of Regional Dance America in 1987. In 1993, ABT hosted the RDA/Southwest Festival.

Nancy has served on the dance panel for the Texas Commission on the Arts for two years and currently serves as historian for the RDA/SW board. Most recently, Nancy served as Festival Chairperson for RDA/SW Festival which ABT hosted in Abilene in April of 2005.

Nancy is happily married to Richard Gore, and they have three children: Lisa, Eric and Laura.

Mary Milstead

Mary Milstead attended and danced at Texas Christian University. In 1981, she was certified to teach by Dance Masters of America. In 1988, she purchased Patty Harper Dance Studio, the studio at which she danced growing up. Mary joined Abilene Ballet Theatre in 1987 as a dancer, and she became co-director in 1993.

Mary's choreography has been performed by ABT at Regional Dance America/Southwest festivals in 1995 ("Water World") and 1997 ("Tango Le Pew").

Currently Mary is teaching nationally with Ray Hollingsworth's Dance troupe.

 


Abilene Ballet Theatre was founded in 1985, and it is the only regional ballet company in Abilene's history. The company, under the artistic direction of Nancy Gore and Mary Milstead, holds open auditions each fall to select dancers for the season, to be performed in the historic Paramount Theatre.

In 1987, ABT was selected by audition for membership in the prestigious Regional Dance America/Southwest, a seven-state organization of 22 select ballet companies.

Bringing excellent ballet training and performances to West Texas, ABT is a non-profit organization dedicated to:

  • Encouraging and developing young talent in the area
  • Educating and entertaining young audiences
  • Promoting and developing a love for the art of ballet in the community
  • Promoting education and employment opportunities for company dancers
  • Providing scholarship assistance for continuing education and training

ABT shares its talent with other community organizations such as the Abilene Opera Association, the Abilene Philharmonic Guild, the Junior League Christmas Carousel, the Abilene Community Band, Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University and the Classical Chorus of Abilene. In addition to public performances, ABT performs The Nutcracker for 2,400 AISD and area school children.