Western Oklahoma Ballet

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Welcome to the website of Western Oklahoma Ballet Theatre and its affiliated school, Western Oklahoma Ballet Academy. Both organizations are dedicated to bringing quality dance performances and instruction to Western Oklahoma, focusing on the fine art of classical ballet.

The 2010-2011 season offers a performance series that celebrates the colorful scope and accessibility of the art of dance. From the hilarious Shel Silverstein-inspired Put Something In to the beloved tale of The Wizard of Oz and from the classical traditions of The Nutcracker to new cutting-edge choreography, WOBT will showcase the kaleidoscopic facets of dance.

The Artistic Director of Western Oklahoma Ballet Theatre and Director of Western Oklahoma Ballet Academy is Penny Askew. A founding dancer with WOBT, Ms. Askew began her serious training with Candace Jones Smalley at WOBA. She studied at several high-profile summer intensive programs, including Oklahoma Summer Arts Instutite, Ballet West's and Pennsylvania Ballet's Summer Programs, and the National Academy of Arts, and trained with such notable teachers as Robert Joffrey, Richard Englund, Lupe Serrano, David Howard, Bruce Marks, and Toni Lander. She was named the Outstanding Choreographer of the Regional Dance America National Choreography Conference in both 1996 and 1998, and her works have been commisioned by such companies as Allegro Ballet of Houston, Victoria Ballet Theatre, Twin City Ballet, Chamber Youth Ballet, Dancers In Company, Bucknell Dance Company, Ballet Quad Cities, and Texas Dance Theatre. She received her Master of Fine Arts in Dance/Choreography from the University of Iowa in May 2001, and is an American Ballet Theatre Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 7 & Partnering of the ABT National Training Curriculum. Ms. Askew also received a 2008 Oklahoma Governor's Arts Award for her work with the company.