Timeline

Here you can find significant information associated with Nicolas Petrov from his arrival in Pittsburgh, to the creation of both the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the dance program at Point Park University, and important details in the evolution of both.

1967:

-Nicolas Petrov arrives in Pittsburgh

-He launches Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

-He becomes director of dance at the Playhouse

-The Playhouse receives the Richard King Mellon grant that helps them stay afloat

-In September, dance enrollment doubled for Mr. and Mrs. Petrov

1968:

-PPC acquires the Playhouse

-The acquisition led to Petrov becoming a staff member for PPC

-Violette Verdy is set to perform in The Nutcracker with Mr. and Mrs. Petrov

-PPC students set to perform in the corps de ballet for The Nutcracker

-Used local dancers for The Nutcracker

1969:

-July ceremony held at the Playhouse to celebrate the formation of PBT

-Petrov officially becomes the director of PBT

-After the Playhouse opens on October 2nd, PBT is to hold its premier performance at the Playhouse in November

-PBT granted its official charter on Monday December 22

1970:

-March 8th, PBT announces its first spring season

-Petrov choreographs Swan Lake with Violette Verdy and Edward Villella guest stars

-April 1st, PBT performs Carmen starring Marion Petrov

-PPC is offering classes in ballet, jazz, modern, ballroom, and tap in conjunction with PBT

-In October, PBT announces the opening of the third season of The Nutcracker

-Playhouse subscriptions and overall sales are up at this time

1971:

-In February, PBT announces to perform the full-length ballet Swan Lake

-In June, PBT ends a successful dance season with a two-day festival seeking $150,000 to fund the next season

-In October, the 1971-1972 PBT season is launched with Romeo and Juliet

-For the first time PBT ballets will be accompanied by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, starting with Romeo and Juliet

-Point Park College now has a new division, Point Park Conservatory

1972:

-In August Petrov is named the chair of the newly formed Point Park Department of Dance, the dance program was so successful that it became its own department (separating from the theatre program)

2013:

- On December 10th-15th, 2013 Point Park had put on a full-length production of Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet that honored and was choreographed by Nicolas Petrov who had choreographed the first American production of Romeo and Juliet forty two years prior. Petrov would retire shortly after.