Dance Prism, founded in 1982 by Scott Ranagan and Mary Demaso, is a classically focused ensemble, the primary purpose of which is to bring the spectrum of ballet into the communities of New England in an accessible form. Its touring schedule regularly includes appearances in such venues as Worcester’s Mechanics Hall, the Collins Center in Andover, the Littleton Performing Arts Center, and the Jackson Arts Center at Bristol Community College in Fall River.

As well as its acclaimed annual production of The Nutcracker, Dance Prism’s repertoire includes both such narrative ballets as Cinderella and Coppélia, settings of major classics including full-length versions of Petipa’s Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake, and the company’s most popular family-oriented ballets, the irresistibly mad A Tea Party with Alice in Wonderland and the beloved Boston-based Variations on Make Way for Ducklings. Its productions have included a number of other major endeavors: the iconic romantic ballets Giselle and La Sylphide, a rollicking version of Don Quixote, and an admired original interpretation of Romeo and Juliet. Dancers explored the glittering other worlds of The Little Mermaid and A Midsummer Night’s Dream and braved the swords and dragons of ancient British myth in King Arthur and the Magic of Merlin. Lighter fare has been represented by the ever-youthful Peter Pan, a charming Snow White, the joyfully whimsical Puss in Boots, and a magic carpet adventure with Aladdin, Dance

Prism has also assembled mixed repertory programs that have included Hansel and Gretel, The Frog Prince, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Celtic Suite, The Flying Dutchman, the Russian tale of The Firebird, and a shiver-provoking setting of Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death.

Dance Prism is composed of approximately 30 professional dancers and apprentices, supplemented for larger productions such as The Nutcracker by serious ballet students who audition annually for the company. Dance Prism’s casts include dancers based throughout the northeast region and eastern and western seaboard.

Dance Prism is a non-profit performance organization only, not a school, and is friendly with many but not affiliated with any private ballet schools. Its survival depends chiefly on its performance ticket sales and the generosity of its supporters.