Pacific Northwest Ballet

Maria Chapman as the Peacock in Kent Stowell's Nutcracker. (Photo: Angela Sterling)

Second Stage

Conceived in 1999, Second Stage is a multi-faceted career transition program created by PNB dancers, Trustees, and volunteers to support the dancers you see on stage in achieving their goals following a career in dance. Second Stage resources allow dancers to take classes, access mentors and career counseling, and receive grants. Funding from Second Stage has helped PNB dancers become Pilates instructors, real estate agents, interior designers, small business owners, medical students and law students.

In addition to providing grants for online learning, university, and community college support, in 2003 Second Stage developed a partnership with Seattle University. SU offers PNB dancers college courses at times that work with their busy schedules. The SU partnership teaches academic skills, but perhaps more importantly, demonstrates to the dancers that they are indeed multi-talented individuals capable of diverse achievements on and off the stage. This knowledge provides hope for their future after dance and enriches their lives as dancers today.

The past seven years have been remarkably successful for Second Stage. In 1999, only a handful of dancers actively planned for their career after dance. Since that time, Second Stage has provided nearly $265,000 in grants to more than 70 dancers.

Join us!
PNB dancers are investing in their futures and hope you will too by contacting PNB Development Staff to make your tax deductible donation to Second Stage.

Mail your gift to: Second Stage, c/o Pacific Northwest Ballet, 301 Mercer St., Seattle, WA 98109 (Make checks payable to Pacific Northwest Ballet)
E-mail us: giving@pnb.org
Or Call Tara Carr: 206.441.3593

A few of the PNB dancers who have benefited from Second Stage:

Thank you to the supporters who believe in us on and off the stage — your support and encouragement have taught me that I can accomplish more than one goal at a time.
— Stacy Lowenberg, PNB Dancer

The Second Stage/Seattle University program has given me the confidence to enter the collegiate world and the chance to explore my options for a career outside ballet. Now that I'm retired, my transition to my next stage has not been overwhelming; instead I feel equipped with the tools to lead me to success off the stage. Second Stage has opened a door of endless opportunities for me.
— Melanie Skinner, Former PNB Soloist Dancer


Kiyon Gaines and Company dancers in Kent Stowell's Firebird. (Photo: Angela Sterling)
I believe dancers are ideal students. Academics are about discipline and working hard to achieve a goal, as in dance. Incorporating something else in my life, something new like university classes, is perfect for me to take my mind away from the pressures of training and rehearsal, while the class-work, writing poetry, and completing assignments, develops another dimension of myself as a person.
— Carrie Imler, PNB Principal Dancer

Dancing is the greatest passion in my life and it is my passion for life that makes me want to prepare for the future. Second Stage is a great platform on which I can grow as an artist and an individual.
— Kiyon Gaines, PNB Dancer



Second Stage for Dancers:

Click on the links below to view these Second Stage documents in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in order to view PDF documents. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, Click Here to download it for free from Adobe's website.

Some of the documents below are intended only for PNB dancers and current Second Stage participants and are password protected. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Nikki Morton, Executive Assistant, at NMorton@pnb.org.

• Mission Statement

• Mentorship Program

• Grant System Overview and Guidelines

• Grant Application

• Grant Application Calendar

• New Horizons Computer Training