International Ballet Competition in Jackson? Why not Jackson
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Heads up, Jackson. The international dance world has assembled in our city. Dancers, coaches, students, teachers, jurors, audience members and a battalion of over 400 volunteers have joined together to create a unique community for the two-week festival of dance and culture known as USA International Ballet Competition.
It was another hot summer in the city 44 years ago when the USA IBC debuted in Jackson. Neither the international competitors nor their Mississippi hosts were quite sure what to make of each other. But then as now, the universal language of Southern hospitality united us.
We owe a collective debt of gratitude to the memory of Thalia Mara, renowned ballet educator, author, artistic director and dancer who moved to Jackson in the mid 1970s to direct Jackson Ballet, the state’s first professional ballet company.
"Ms. Mara" keenly observed Mississippians’ intense passion for athletic competitions of every kind and knew that the citizens of her adopted home state could easily appreciate the athleticism, conditioning, grueling training and elite performances of dancers. She reasoned that the same fans who cheered for football under Friday night lights and for Olympic athletes of all sports would have no trouble doing the same for world-class dance.
At that time, international ballet competitions were rotated annually between Moscow, Varna, Bulgaria and Tokyo (now Helsinki). If Thalia Mara had her way, Jackson, Mississippi, would join this illustrious group as the official competition of the USA.
Just mention the USA IBC outside our state borders and chances are you’ll be asked “Why Jackson?” Why host an international event in a small Southern city far from the dance capitals of America?
Thalia Mara’s answer was “Why not Jackson?” Her vision was to create a regional ballet center outside of the major U.S. metropolitan areas where the international dance community could experience a more intimate and realistic view of our country. A New York-based competition would be lost in a city boasting hundreds of cultural events. But in Jackson, Mississippi, the competition would be both significant and celebrated.
Over 45 years ago, Thalia Mara sold her improbable vision to anyone who had ears to listen and forged an effective but uncommon alliance of business and community leaders, philanthropists, politicians of all stripes and city, county and state officials. They may not have known a tutu from toe shoes, but they knew what was good for their capital city. And now the USA International Ballet Competition is recognized throughout the dance world as simply “Jackson.”
As we gather this week to continue celebrating the 37th year and 12th USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, we commemorate the gift that Thalia Mara and her bold band of believers gave us. The transcendent artistry of young dancers and indelible bonds forged across this globe these many years have enriched us all. It is fitting that we take a moment to reflect on what we can accomplish as a community when we collectively reach beyond ourselves, beyond our trivial divisions and self-imposed boundaries for something splendid … together.
Let the dancing begin.
Carol Puckett Palmer is chair of the International Ballet Competition.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why not Jackson MS for international ballet competition?
