Founded in 1987, Plano Metropolitan Ballet (PMB) is a non-profit ballet company that performs annually in Plano, Texas. PMB is under the artistic direction of Cindi Lawrence Hanson, who has been in the position since 1998.

The mission of Plano Metropolitan Ballet is to provide the local community with a variety of original dance productions of the highest quality.

The goals of PMB include:

  • Stimulate an interest in the art of dance in citizens of all ages throughout North Texas.
  • Reach under-served members of the community through the art of dance.
  • Showcase the talents of community members of all ages through the original choreography of trained professionals and performances by local artists.
  • Provide a supportive yet challenging atmosphere in which the students are able to enhance their existing dance abilities.
  • Through the discipline and structure of a traditional ballet environment, develop a sense of responsibility for the actions of oneself and the impact of those actions on others.

Plano Metropolitan Ballet features about 50 dancers ages 12-18 who train at the Gotta Dance studio. The Junior Company features about 40 dancers ages 8-12. All performers must audition to be a part of the ballet company and a part of the performance. They practice ballet and pointe through regular classes and have a weekly rehearsal with PMB.

Every year, PMB performs an original fairy tale ballet production specifically choreographed for the cast. The company provides exciting, high-quality dance performances at a family-friendly price that’s accessible to the entire community.

PMB hosts the annual Plano Dance Festival (recently renamed to Dance Plano!), a showcase of professional dancers from performing companies and studios throughout the Dallas metroplex. Featured acts have included Avant Chamber Ballet, Dallas Neo-Classical Ballet, Rhythmic Souls Tap Company, Choreo Records Tap Company, 6 O’Clock Dance Theatre, and Thrown Wide Apart Dance Company.

PMB has participated in many events around Plano and North Texas, performing at Courtyard Theater, McCall Plaza, Haggard Park, Plano Arts Festival, Eisemann Center, Southfork Ranch, Heritage Farmstead, Brookhaven College, Dance for the Planet, Allen Dance Festival, area retirement homes, and local schools.

PMB Pals is an outreach program dedicated to teaching children with special needs. The classes are underwritten by our generous donors and provide the PMB company dancers and the PMB Pals the opportunity for one-on-one instruction.

History of PMB

Plano Metropolitan Ballet was founded in 1987. At that time, the company’s main purpose was simply to provide young dancers with the opportunity to perform. Today, the mission statement expands upon the original intent to include the desire to provide affordable, high-quality dance to the local community while instilling a love of dance in its company members. PMB has been under the artistic direction of Cindi Lawrence Hanson since 1998.

Plano Metropolitan Ballet has grown to more than 50 members today. Through yearly auditions, dedicated dancers ages 12 to 18 are given the opportunity to join PMB.

Original Fairy Tale Ballet

Since 1989, Plano Metropolitan Ballet has produced an original, storybook ballet each year by bringing a fairy tale to life on stage through dance. Each production, which often sells out at every performance, offers classical ballet and familiar music along with a bit of comedy, evil, and magic to tell the story. Early performances were held at the John Anthony Theatre of Collin College, the ArtCentre Theatre of Plano, and Plano Senior High and Plano East Senior High schools. When Plano’s Courtyard Theater opened, PMB was one of the charter artistic groups to perform there, and the company remains at this venue today.

Plano Star Courier, 2000

Plano Metropolitan Ballet Original Productions:

  • 2023 The Frozen Kingdom
  • 2022 Aladdin
  • 2021 Alice in Wonderland and Alice the Early Years
  • 2020 The Adventures of Tinkerbelle
  • 2019 Little Mermaid
  • 2018 Sleeping Beauty
  • 2017 Jungle Book
  • 2016 The Frozen Kingdom
  • 2015 Beauty and the Beast
  • 2014 Rapunzel
  • 2013 Peter Pan
  • 2012 Cinderella
  • 2011 Snow White
  • 2010 Wizard of the Oz
  • 2009 Annie, the Orphan
  • 2008 The Story of Tinkerbelle
  • 2007 Sleeping Beauty
  • 2006 Beauty and the Beast
  • 2005 Cinderella
  • 2004 Snow White
  • 2003 The Little Mermaid
  • 2002 Alice in Wonderland
  • 2001 Wizard of Oz
  • 2000 Peter Pan
  • 1999 Anastasia
  • 1998 Cinderella
  • 1997 Sleeping Beauty
  • 1996 Legend of the Blue Bonnet
  • 1995 Snow Maiden
  • 1994 Snow Maiden
  • 1993 Snow Maiden
  • 1991 Hansel and Gretel
  • 1990 Hansel and Gretel
  • 1989 Snow White
First Annual Plano Dance Festival, 2003

Dance Plano!

In 2003, PMB founded and began sponsoring the Plano Dance Festival, held annually at the Courtyard Theater. With this event, a dance tradition began, by providing a venue where, by invitation only, local professional and student dancers from the Plano and North Texas areas can showcase their talent on the same stage in a non-competitive environment. Audiences can look forward to a unique mix of classical and modern ballet and pointe as well as tap, jazz, and modern dance styles.

Junior Company

In 2006, the Junior Company division of Plano Metropolitan Ballet was formed. Developed for dancers ages eight to 12 with a strong interest in pursuing ballet, Junior Company members must audition in order to join. Performance opportunities include the Plano Dance Festival each year, and in May, Junior Company opens the Gotta Dance intermediate recital with a short fairy-tale ballet. Today’s Junior Company includes a membership of nearly 40 dancers.

Plano Metropolitan Ballet Gala

In 2007, the first annual Plano Metropolitan Ballet Gala was held in celebration of PMB’s 20th anniversary. This annual event is PMB’s largest fundraiser and quickly became a favorite PMB tradition.

Special Needs Outreach Through PMB Pals

PMB Pals perform at Junior Company Jubilee

In September 2008, Plano Metropolitan Ballet launched PMB Pals, an outreach initiative for special needs children. PMB Pals is a ballet class tailored especially for special needs children and is offered weekly at no cost to the student. This program benefits the students as well as the PMB company members who help the instructor by providing additional one-on-one assistance to the students.

The implementation of the PMB Pals outreach program has given PMB a unique opportunity to give back to the community. Words cannot describe the reward that is felt when we watch the children in this class as they enjoy learning and performing ballet techniques. The students gain confidence and new friendships while experiencing the discipline of ballet. Our PMB members learn compassion and civic responsibility through their assistance in this program. We are extremely proud to be able to offer this truly one-of-a-kind class.

For more information about PMB Pals, please call 972-769-0017.