The Academy of Dancearts has started a new ballet theater offering ballet performances for the community.

The organization, called Southeast Missouri Ballet Theatre, will present its first ballet, "The Fantastic Toyshop," Nov. 13-15. Auditions will be in August or September.

Joann Ruess, owner of the Academy of Dancearts studio, explained that the performing ballet company is a next step for the studio in promoting ballet in the community.

"This will enable our students the opportunity to perform for their community," Ruess said. "It will also allow the public to view ballet performed by our students, as well as more experienced guest soloists."

The ballet company is not designed as a community theater, at least not at first, Ruess said. The Southeast Missouri Ballet Theatre is being formed to help further the talents of dancers from the Academy of Dancearts studio.

"But we will audition for specific parts, and we will need additional people," she said.

"After being in the studio for five years," she said, "we have a group of our students who are ready for the next progression. We will still have our recital for students to perform, but we need something more. What good are these skills if we can't show them to the public. Ballet is a performance art.

"We plan to start with maybe a ballet yearly," she said, "and grow from there."

Ruess added that several people have approached her about a desire to see ballet performed more often locally.

She said volunteers are being solicited to help get the troupe started. A board of directors has already been formed and the group is in the process of filing for non-profit status. Chairman is Gary Semmler; co-chairman is Jerry McKee.

"I think there is a need out there to be satisfied," she said.

For more information, call 334-2525.