About Us
Welcome to Peninsula Lively Arts – the Peninsula’s premier destination for diverse, inclusive, and dynamic performing arts and dance education. Formerly known as Peninsula Ballet Theatre and Conservatory, we have proudly served the Bay Area for over 56 years as its second-oldest ballet company. In response to our community’s vibrant and evolving cultural landscape, we’ve expanded our vision and rebranded as Peninsula Lively Arts, embracing a broader array of performances and educational programs.
Our productions now go far beyond classical ballet, offering contemporary dance and groundbreaking hip-hop performances, including our popular Hip-Hop Nutcracker and Halloween. . Building on this success, we’ve introduced Broadway musical theater productions and launched the Peninsula International Dance Festival, showcasing the Bay Area’s remarkable multicultural talent.
In addition to our performances, Peninsula Lively Arts is home to the Peninsula School of the Arts, where students of all ages and backgrounds can explore their passion for dance and theater. Our school offers a wide range of classes, from ballet and hip-hop dance to musical theater and tap, allowing students to develop their skills in both traditional and contemporary styles. With professional instruction tailored for everyone, from beginners to aspiring professionals, the Peninsula School of the Arts is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists and performers in a supportive and inspiring environment.
With Peninsula Lively Arts, we aim to be a beacon of artistic expression and education, engaging and representing our entire community. We invite you to join us as we continue to grow, innovate, and inspire through the performing arts.
History of PBT
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Peninsula Ballet Theatre inspires passion and creates joy with live productions through a collaboration of dedicated artists, artisans and supporters. Founded in 1967 by Dick Ford and Richard Gibson as the non-profit performing vehicle for students in their ballet school, then Peninsula Ballet School, the first professional dancers trained outside the school were hired in 1971 to form a separate permanent company. PBT is the Bay Area's second oldest professional ballet company in continuous operation. Joining as artistic director in 2017, Greg Amato has cultivated a company of professional dancers that performs a full season of wide-ranging repertory. Continuing its 55-year tradition as the artistic and cultural hub of San Mateo County, Peninsula Hip Hop Productions was added in 2016 under the artistic direction of Stuck Sanders and Peninsula Broadway Productions directed by Gary Ferguson makes its debut with the 2021-2022 season.​
Gregory Amato
Artistic Director Peninsula Ballet Theatre
Gregory Amato has a wide breadth of experience in the international world of ballet. Mr. Amato has performed in over 50 countries, including forthe Queen of England, two presidents, numerous ambassadors, dignitaries, and prime ministers.
He was selected by New York City Ballet principal dancer Edward Villella to become a founding member of the Miami City Ballet, before performing with the Ballet du Nord in France. He was then similarly chosen by Michael Smuin as a founding member of Smuin Ballet. While dancing there, Michael Smuin created several ballets on Mr. Amato, including "Frankie and Johnny,” and "Cyrano." He also appeared in the movie, "The Fantastics," which Smuin choreographed.
Mr. Amato's primary teacher and inspiration was New York City Ballet soloist Nolan T'Sani. He studied on full scholarship at the San Francisco Ballet School and the Joffrey Ballet School in New York.
Mr. Amato competed and won the gold medal in the Fred Astaire International Ballroom Dance Competition. Despite his impressive ballet career, his personal highlight was his experience as the featured dancer at Carnegie Hall for the 100th Celebration of George Gershwin’s birthday.
Mr. Amato has been the Artistic Director at Peninsula Ballet Theatre and PBT Conservatory since 2017, where he has created over 40 original works, including full-length productions of The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Carmina Burana, Carnival of the Animals, and Carmen.
Stuck Sanders
Artistic Director Hip-Hop Productions
Stuck Sanders was introduced to dance at the age of 12 when his mom was looking for a creative outlet for the obviously athletic youngster who was not all that trilled with traditional organized sports. After one hip-hop class he was hooked and headed for a career in the world of art and dance. In just a few years he was performing in the half time shows of the Sacramento Kings basketball games and earning a reputation as a top freestyler where the dancer is encouraged to create new moves and develop a personal style. Soon he was known for his style of Turf Dancing incorporating strong narrative with storytelling and mime and burnished his reputation participating in numerous Battle Dances. At 19 he headed to Los Angeles for more vigorous training in hip-hop choreography. In 2012 he joined Academy of Villains as principal dancer/choreographer where his choreography became known for its strong theatrical flair. There he and Ale Martinez became one of the AOV main dance partners and in December 2015 they formed The Tribe where they could continue to foster the art form and pass on their many talents to new hip-hop artists. As an Independent artist he serves as director of Peninsula Hip-Hop Productions where he brings hip-hop artists from throughout the United States to present the hip-hop dance style in narrative storytelling.
Gary Stanford Jr
Director Peninsula Broadway Theater Productions
Gary Stanford Jr - is ecstatic to be a part of the Peninsula Broadway Theater 2023 season! Born and raised in the SF Bay Area and as a performing artist he has been involved with singing, dancing, and acting since a young child he spent his youth with P. S. Performance, a bay area performing arts company. He has been heavily involved in Bay Area Musical Theater and appeared in over 80 musicals with various theater companies around the bay. He started his own theater company, North California Arts Collective in 2019 and is on the Board of Directors for Z-Space theater (San Francisco), Throckmorton Theater (Mill Valley), ReAct Theater (Seattle), TheatreWorks Silicon Valley (Mountain View), Woodside Community Theater and Hillbarn Theater (Foster City). In 2020 he became deeply involved in Diversity, Inclusion Equity education/mentoring and consults as a social justice professional.
Business and Administration Team
For Press/Media Enquiries:
Jon Finck
(415) 577-1323
For Marketing/Adv Opportunities:
Michael Davis
(213) 631-0550
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Shannon Schueller
PLA Administrator
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Vin Eiamvuthikorn
Photographer
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