About the 
Orangeburg Civic Ballet

Established in 1993 by Tamalyn Blackman, the Orangeburg Civic Ballet (OCB) began with 14 dancers. Initially named the Orangeburg City Ballet, it was located at the Zimmerman Center in Orangeburg.

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A few years later, the company moved to Tamalyn’s Dance Centre on Springdale Street and was renamed the Orangeburg Civic Ballet (OCB). The Orangeburg City Ballet's first production was a joint performance of the Nutcracker with the Junior Orangeburg Part Time Players, a collaboration that continued for several years. In 1999, the OCB launched its first full-length Nutcracker production, which has since become a cherished community tradition.

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In 1998, OCB debuted its first spring performance, "Alice in Wonderland." Since then, the ballet company has presented numerous productions, including "Sleeping Beauty," "Coppelia," "Cinderella," "The Wizard of Oz," "Peter Pan," "Alice in Wonderland," "The Lion King," "The Little Mermaid," and "Beauty and the Beast." Spring performances have also showcased the versatility of OCB dancers through collaborations with guest choreographers and Master teachers. Company members have further enriched their dance education through master classes held in Orangeburg, Columbia, and Charleston.

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Today, the Orangeburg Civic Ballet has grown to over 80 dancers, ranging in age from 8 to adult. Performances at various venues, including school shows, Piccolo Spoleto, Showcase Orangeburg, and the North Charleston Arts Festival, have provided dancers with opportunities to perform and appreciate both classical ballet and other dance forms.

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Our vision is to create a Diverse, Artistic, Nurturing, Creative Environment (DANCE).

Orangeburg Civic Ballet strives to be an innovative dance organization that enriches the Orangeburg arts community through original and avant-garde productions. We are committed to fostering a diverse generation of dancers who communicate through both classical and contemporary forms, while providing a supportive, creative, and inclusive environment for learning and artistic growth.

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