Cynthia Crews (Artistic Director of Lawrence Ballet Theatre) started her dance training in Tulsa, Okla., with Roman Jasinski and Moscelyn Larkin, acclaimed Ballet Russe stars and co-founders of Tulsa Ballet Theatre. She performed solo roles with Tulsa Civic Ballet, including Tulsa’s very first Clara in The Nutcracker, before continuing her dance education in New York as a full-scholarship student for Joffrey Ballet and Harkness Ballet. She then returned to Oklahoma and earned a BFA in Ballet Pedagogy from The University of Oklahoma.

Cynthia performed as a principal with Tulsa Ballet Theatre for nine years. She danced leading roles in Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Ruth Page’s Die FlederMaus, Peter Anastos’ Footage, and Loyce Holton’s Wingborne, as well as Giselle, Coppelia, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. She also taught master classes, performed as a guest artist and presented numerous school lecture demonstrations each year. Cynthia has performed and choreographed in a variety of community and professional musical theater productions for organizations including Oklahoma’s Discoveryland Outdoor Dramas, Theatre Tulsa, and Florida’s Manatee Players.

Cynthia’s teaching career began at The School of Tampa Ballet and continued at the Post School of Ballet in Roanoke, Va., and Jasinski Academy, formerly the official school for Tulsa Ballet. At the collegiate level, she has served as an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida and as guest lecturer at the University of Kansas. Cynthia joined the Lawrence Arts Center in 2004, teaching primarily ballet and pointe. She is founder and artistic director of the Lawrence Ballet Theatre. Cynthia is President of Regional Dance America/MidStates and sits on the National Board for Regional Dance America.