The Valley Dance Theatre

Valley Dance Theatre was formed in 1980 by Betsy Hausburg and Penny Tomasello with the goal of providing performance opportunities for talented local dancers and bringing affordable, quality ballet performances to the Tri-Valley. The Company operates on a volunteer basis and has provided professional-quality productions to the Tri-Valley region for over 35 years. It is also the resident ballet company of the Bankhead Theater - this beautiful, 500-seat theater is the cultural center of the vibrant arts community of the Tri-Valley.

Every year, the Company presents two professionally staged productions. During the holiday season, accompanied by the Valley Dance Theatre Pit Orchestra, the Company presents a full-length performance of the beloved favorite, The Nutcracker. In addition, the Company stages a spring performance, titled "Spring Rep", to showcase our local talent and choreography.

Betsy Hausburg – Artistic Director

Betsy co-founded the Valley Dance Theatre in 1980 and continues to serve as Artistic Director and Choreographer. She received her BA cum laude in Dance from Butler University where she was Dean of Students for a two-year teacher training program. She performed professionally with Syracuse Ballet Theatre and the Hartford Ballet.

Betsy has been teaching throughout the East Bay for many years, and has lent her choreography skills to many school musicals and opera companies. She is also a gifted professional costumer and seamstress, and has designed and/or built most of the wonderful costumes seen in Valley Dance Theatre's performances.

The Valley Dance Theatre performances, including the beloved full length production of the Nutcracker, feature their own pit orchestra.