The Ballet & Theatre Arts Performing Companies has been in existence since 1980 bringing the people of this culturally deprived rural area of southwest Alabama & southeast Mississippi a chance to experience the performing arts in every way.

BTAPC consists of a little theatre, dance company and community chorus
and is staffed almost exclusively by volunteers. We present several major productions each year (plays and musicals staged by BTAPC) and performances by guest artists (pianists, ballet companies, etc.). Through BTAPC and our affiliated school we offer classes in dance, voice and acting. Summer workshops are offered in the above disciplines at our facility and in the public schools where classes are free.

Students and adults have the opportunity to study as well as perform in professional caliber productions. BTAPC brings in many guest artists and reaches many local children at no cost to them. Our dream is to make the arts available to all the people in our area and especially those who are poverty stricken. Our "Adopt a Child for the Arts" program is helping to make this dream come true.

The Companies also encourage local unpublished playwrights by considering their works for production. Several original plays have already been produced.

BTAPC has two professional directors who have many years of experience in the professional theatre in New York. Their expertise in the fields of directing, choreographing and teaching has achieved such high standards here in this rural area of Alabama that audiences and adjudicators alike have compared each production favorably with shows they have seen in New York and with touring companies. Because of our directors high standards, BTAPC has gained an enviable reputation. One may search all over the state of Alabama and perhaps nationwide and not find another organization like BTAPC. Unlike most little theatres, BTAPC's directors not only direct, stage and choreograph all productions but they also design and make the costumes as well as the sets.