We were lucky to catch up with Lauren Loretnz De Haas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

The first risk was just starting. It the summer of 1995 and for 15 years I had taught ballet at a local studio when the thought first occurred to me. Why not provide the dancers with another performance opportunity in addition to the end of year recital? What if I formed a company to just do the Nutcracker? It was summer and December just a few months away. So all the first decisions happened in a whirlwind. Application for Nonprofit status, getting a theatre, figuring out costumes and sets, holding auditions, casting the show, figuring out how to sell tickets. But the biggest risk, would people come? With starting capitol of a $3000 limit on a new credit card the Triangle Youth Ballet Nutcracker was born and continued to grow.

Then in 2003, there was another opportunity, but an even greater risk. We opened a school – also a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit. I don’t think I was ever more nervous the day I signed a 5 year commercial lease.

Twenty two years later we are in the same location, and have expanded into to an adjacent space. Now there are students who are children of former students. And I am still friends with many of the parents whose kids came to dance at TYB. The risks were thrilling, like the curtain opening before each show. Then too you never know who things are going to turn out. And I feel fortunate to say and every risk yielded greater rewards.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Like so many little girls, I was enrolled in a ballet class at a young age. At this studio, I had a teacher who was an inspiration. There was something about her and how she made her dancers feel that sparked in me a desire to follow in her footsteps. Her name was Miss Josie and from that time, while I loved being in productions and on stage, I really just wanted to teach.
And like Miss Josie, to use the opportunity to not only teach ballet but to teach team work, determination, kindness, integrity and leadership.
Not just to develop good dancers, but help shape good people.
I think of my dancers as members of my extended family.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Of course, the time of the great Global Pivot, when I learned that if needed we could teach classes via zoom. We could develop a story based curriculum for younger dancers to stay engaged in their movement classes on the screen. We could perform in alternative locations outside, like parking lots, an amphitheater, a public rose garden and an open field which was recorded by a drone and broadcast.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I am driven by my students. I want to help them learn to make their own magical moments.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://triangleyouthballet.org

Image Credits

Dracula – Captured Light by Mike Photography
Giselle – Melissa Edwards
Nutc – Spanish and Arabian and Clara – Melissa Edwards
Alice in Wonderland – Madhatter – Steve Clarke
Trio pose in rehearsal – Lauren Lorentz de Haas
Four Nutty leads/grad seniors – anon