Today, I’m excited to share insights from my conversation with the wonderful Ms. Black at Virginia Ballet Company here in Fairfax.
Listen to the entire conversation here: SustainXplorers Ep. 1
Guest Introduction:
Our distinguished guest, Ms. Black, currently serving as the President of the Board of Directors for Virginia Ballet Company, is all set to transition into the role of Executive Director in the upcoming fall season. Her journey with VBC began as a volunteer, sparked by her daughter’s involvement in the company’s programs. Over the years, she’s taken on various roles, ultimately ascending to the position of board president.
Unveiling Virginia Ballet Company:
Virginia Ballet Company isn’t just an ordinary dance company; it’s a vibrant thread woven into the tapestry of our community for over seven dazzling decades. This enduring legacy, which commenced in 1950, has an exceptional story to tell. The nonprofit wing of VBC was born in 1965, establishing a firm commitment to nurturing young talents. With a student-centric approach, VBC’s performances have graced stages locally and across borders, including a memorable trip to Russia. Their pre-professional program dazzles the audience with three to four major performances annually, including the prestigious Mainstage Capital One collaboration with Fairfax Arts Theater.
Sustainability Takes Center Stage:
Virginia Ballet Company is all about rhythm and harmony, and they’ve seamlessly integrated sustainability into their moves. One remarkable feat is their expansive costume collection, some pieces dating back to the 1960s. Rather than retiring costumes, they resize, refresh, and repurpose them, often using these materials to craft dazzling new costumes. In a brilliant move, reclaimed wood finds new life as props, significantly reducing the need for virgin materials. This company also made the eco-savvy switch from disposable paper towels to reusable hand dryers and soap dispensers, curbing plastic waste.
Championing Sustainability Amid Challenges:
Keeping up with evolving times and diverse body types presents its own set of challenges for VBC. As demographics change, so do the needs for costumes. To meet these challenges head-on, VBC now ingeniously repurposes items such as tablecloths from Goodwill to fashion new costumes. Thrift stores become treasure troves for costume pieces, further reducing their ecological footprint.
Headpieces and Recycled Newspaper:
One of the most dazzling feats is the use of recycled newspapers to create headpieces and masks. This brilliant idea sprouted from a desire to create rather than merely consume. Newspapers find new life through innovative techniques like Mod Podge, not only reducing waste but also infusing fresh life into costumes.
Dance Boutique: Where Sustainability Shines:
VBC’s dance boutique embodies the company’s sustainability ethos by advocating the reuse of dancewear. Each year, they reach out to families, collecting outgrown dancewear, including leotards, ballet flats, and warm-ups. These treasures are then made available for purchase at the boutique, offering an affordable alternative for parents and curbing the demand for new purchases.
Sustainability: A Show-Stopping Success:
The impact of these sustainability initiatives is nothing short of astounding. Not only have they ushered in cost savings by reducing the consumption of disposable items, but they’ve also ignited a creative spark among the staff. Most importantly, they’ve made a significant contribution to environmental conservation by minimizing waste and diminishing VBC’s carbon footprint.
Virginia Ballet Company, with its boundless energy and unwavering commitment to sustainability, isn’t just dancing to the rhythm of change; it’s leading the way. Every innovation in costume reuse, prop construction, and headpiece design demonstrates that small steps can create a dazzling, greener future for us all. As we continue our exhilarating journey through the myriad facets of sustainability, let VBC be our guiding star, inspiring us to follow suit
