BRAVO 50th Anniversary
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Celebrating BRAVO’s 50th Anniversary
Throughout 2024, San Francisco Ballet’s volunteer group, Ballet Resource and Volunteer Organization (BRAVO) is celebrating five decades of dedicated service to San Francisco Ballet.
BRAVO began in 1974 when a few volunteers provided backstage chaperoning for the youngest dancers in Nutcracker. Today nearly 300 BRAVO members perform a wide range of tasks in support of almost every department in the Company.
Over the years, BRAVO members have given more than 350,000 hours of voluntary service to SF Ballet, saving the Company more than $12 million. In 2010 the SFB Board of Trustees named BRAVO a Great Benefactor in recognition of the value of their contributions. In honor of its 50th Anniversary, BRAVO was named Honorary Chair of the 2024 SF Ballet School Spring Festival Dinner.
"San Francisco Ballet would not be the fine organization it is without BRAVO. They have always been willing to jump into a project and help see it through in a thoughtful and creative way. Congratulations on 50 years!" — Jim Sohm, former Company Dancer and Research Manager
BRAVO volunteers provide services and support to almost every San Francisco Ballet department including:
Artistic
- Backstage chaperoning for Nutcracker and full-length ballets
- Audition assistance for children
- Light-walking to assist technical staff
- Assisting the Artistic Department in hosting visiting artists during special festivals, such as the Unbound Festival and next@90
- Organization and distribution help in the Shoe Room each month
- Assist with printing and compilation of documents for Board of Trustees meetings
Development
- Hospitality and support for stewardship and special events, including donor receptions, studio rehearsals, Season Preview, Legacy Luncheon, SF Ballet Soirée, Nutcracker Benefit Luncheon, Spring Festival Dinner, and the annual Gala
- Assist with mailings to donors, patrons, and guests, including the annual Season Guide mailing and Gala invitations
- Provide long-term support with donor data entry and other clerical tasks
School
- Support for year-round SF Ballet School programs and events, including the annual Open House, parent observations, and class presentations
- Managing Club Nut, a space for children in Nutcracker to enjoy crafts, games, and food between matinee and evening performances in December
- Backstage and front-of-house support for the annual Spring Festival, formerly Student Showcase
- Running the annual Nutcracker audition day bake sale
Education
- Supporting the School-Time Performances/Student Matinees as part of the Dance in Schools and Communities program with SFUSD, including the Docent Program
- Staffing the Family Viewing area in the Opera House
- Supporting all aspects of the Sensory Friendly Performances and Dance-Along workshops, including Sensory Friendly Dance-Alongs
- Helping to staff the annual week-long Summer Dance Camp in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of SF
Audience Engagement/Adult Education
- Staffing and supporting programs that reach the adult and senior communities, including in-person talks, lectures, tours, and demonstrations for those new to the dance form or long-time ballet-goers who want to learn more
- Assisting the teacher in the weekly Dance Classes for People with Parkinson’s
Marketing
- Staffing the Opera House Gift Shop during the Ballet season
- Supporting SF Ballet publicity and promotions, including shows at Stanford and Stern Grove
Facilities, Human Resources, and Finance
- Support for outside auditions for other companies that are held at SF Ballet
- Support for employee-related events and documentation work
- Assist with filing and digitalization of documents
“BRAVO members have become the memory keepers. They are invaluable resources for those of us who strive to know our company history and...want to make improvements for the better. BRAVO is an integral part of the SF Ballet family.” — Mateo Santos Perry, Company Manager
Header Image: BRAVO Volunteers 2024 // © Lindsey Rallo
Go BEHIND THE SCENES OF BRAVO
BRAVO celebrates its 50th anniversary as SF Ballet's volunteer organization.
