Northeast Pennsylvania's pre-professional ballet company and dance school founded in 1978 by Helen M. Gaus.
The professional standard of instruction at the Civic Ballet is focused on achieving a disciplined technique centered on strength, flexibility, coordination, grace, musicality, body alignment and poise. We believe our role is to guide your dancer through the increasingly disciplined levels of dance in a friendly, caring atmosphere. It is our priority to teach students responsibility and respect fo
r their art, their teachers, themselves and each other.
Founded in 1978 by Miss Helen Gaus, the Scranton Civic Ballet Company focuses on the objectives of educating its students and the public in the art and appreciation of dance. Our two annual major performances are full-scale theatrical productions showcasing all aspects of the performing arts and the creations of local artists as represented in our costumes and sets. All of our dancers are invited and encouraged to participate in both of our annual productions. We at Scranton Civic Ballet Company are truly as much “Civic” as we are “Ballet”. By joining our community, dancers will be proud to be a part of our annual programming that includes:
•Annual “In Concert” performances in which we showcase Miss Helen Gaus’ original choreography and the Scranton Civic Ballet Company’s talent.
•”Arts Engage” day camp, Poetry in Motion, a partnership with Lackawanna County Children and Youth and NEIU where children can express the imagery of their words through movement.
•”Eye on Dance” the Civic Ballet’s Friday morning school performance of The Nutcracker offers 1,700 tickets to area school children and senior citizens for the cost of facility fees.
•”Arts on the Square” the Lackawanna County Arts fair in July where Civic offers a “barre” experience for ballet newbies and a chance for the community to get to know everything available at the Civic Ballet Company.
•Ballet Master Class where members of the Ballet Company and other ballet students are invited to attend a master class taught by a distinguished guest instructor.
•You will also find the Scranton Civic Ballet Company “around town” at the Santa Parade, Mostly Opera’s annual fundraising performance, and the UNICO annual fundraiser. The resume of the Scranton Civic Ballet includes the first modern ballet performed and presented in Scranton by a resident dance company and the first to offer modern and contemporary dance. The Company has performed the works of such distinguished and prominent choreographers as Joseph Levinoff (Dance Educators), Jim Snyder (director of Joffrey Concert Group), Ron Altman (Joffrey Ballet), Scott Hunt (NYC teacher and choreographer) and Ellen Cornfield (NYC Company and choreographer). Workshops have been offered by Dorothy Lister of Joffrey Ballet, Laura Alonso of National Ballet of Cuba, Dan May from New York City, Trinette Singleton of Joffrey, Cherie Noble, principal dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet Company, former Rockette Jennifer Sagan, and Ellen Cornfield of NYC Cornfield Dance Company.
Our treasure and our greatest accomplishment are our dancers! Their smiling faces reflect their joy of working hard while having fun, learning to persevere through challenges, and becoming prepared for their lives ahead.
The Scranton Civic Ballet Company has students training every summer at various professional ballet companies and schools across America which include: American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet School, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Ballet Austin, Boston Ballet, Orlando Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, The Rock School for Dance Education, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and many more.
08/14/2026
Calling all Nutcracker alumni! (LINK BELOW) 🩰✨
For 40 years, Helen Gaus’ The Nutcracker has brought generations of dancers, families, and supporters together and we want to reconnect with everyone who has been part of the story❤️
As we prepare for our 40th Anniversary this December, we’re asking all alumni to share their current contact information with us so you can stay connected and receive important updates, special announcements, and exciting details about everything we have planned for this monumental celebration.
Whether you performed in the cast, volunteered behind the scenes, or were part of the Nutcracker family in any way, we want to hear from you!
Registration is open for the 2026–2027 season at Scranton Civic Ballet Company.
From a child’s very first steps in dance to the continued pursuit of artistry and excellence, we are proud to offer classes for ages 3 and up in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop.
Give your child the gift of dance, confidence, artistry, and a lifelong love of movement.
REGISTER NOW || Scranton Civic Ballet Company’s 2026–2027 Season is coming this fall…. inspiring dancers and shaping the performing arts in Northeast Pennsylvania under the artistic leadership of Helen Gaus, Founder and Artistic Director, and Robert Zaloga, Assistant Artistic Director and Principal Dancer.
For nearly five decades, Civic Ballet has been the city’s leading institution for dance education and has looked toward the future while honoring the beauty of tradition.
Now accepting registration for the upcoming season. Step into something timeless✨
Register below:
scrantonballet.org
07/20/2026
Since 1978, Scranton Civic Ballet Company has inspired generations of dancers through exceptional training, artistic excellence, and unforgettable performance opportunities. As Northeast Pennsylvania’s pre-professional ballet school and dance institution, we proudly offer classes in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop for dancers of all ages and levels.
Under Artistic Director Helen Gaus and Assistant Artistic Director Robert Zaloga, we invite you to be part of another incredible season of growth, creativity, and performance.
Whether you’re stepping into the studio for the first time or continuing your dance journey, there’s a place for you at SCBC.
🩰 Registration is now open…. join us for our 2026–2027 season!
REGISTER NOW || The next chapter begins in movement, grace, and artistry.
Scranton Civic Ballet Company’s 2026–2027 Season is coming this fall…. inspiring dancers and shaping the performing arts in Northeast Pennsylvania under the artistic leadership of Helen Gaus, Founder and Artistic Director, and Robert Zaloga, Assistant Artistic Director and Principal Dancer.
For nearly five decades, Civic Ballet has been the city’s leading institution for dance education and has looked toward the future while honoring the beauty of tradition.
Now accepting registration for the upcoming season. Step into something timeless✨
Register below:
scrantonballet.org
07/10/2026
What a magical way to kick off our Summer Dance Courses! ✨🌈
This week, we welcomed our youngest dancers (ages 3–5) for our annual FREE Lilliputian Program, where this year’s theme, The Witches & Wizards of Oz, brought imagination to life.
Throughout the week, our little performers explored the basics of dance, movement, and music while creating wonderful crafts, making new friends, and building confidence in the studio. Their week concluded with a special performance for family and friends, where they proudly shared everything they learned.
A heartfelt thank you to all of our amazing students, families, and faculty for making this first week of summer so memorable. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer has in store! 💚🩰✨
07/04/2026
Happy 4th of July from Scranton Civic Ballet Company🇺🇸❤️
07/01/2026
Summer Dance Buddies is BACK at Scranton Civic Ballet Company!
A heartfelt thank you to Angelo's Italian Restaurant for hosting Scranton Civic Ballet Company’s Board of Directors annual summer meeting. A special thank you to the gracious staff for their hospitality and kindness as we prepare for another exciting season ahead🩰
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