Tulsa Ballet Gets Biggest Donation Ever

It's a donation that's so big; it makes them feel like dancing. Actually they would do that regardless, but they are excited at the Tulsa Ballet. That's because the CEO of SemGroup has given

Wednesday, August 23rd 2006, 10:17 am

By: News On 6

It's a donation that's so big; it makes them feel like dancing. Actually they would do that regardless, but they are excited at the Tulsa Ballet. That's because the CEO of SemGroup has given them the largest, single donation in the ballet's history, $1.5-million.

News on 6 reporter Steve Berg says artistic and beautiful are just a few of the many words that describe the Tulsa Ballet. And now, they're starting to get a more aesthetically pleasing headquarters, in what was once Holmes Elementary School. "We feel honored that we've had so much community support. It's a ball that has been rolling downhill and picking up lots of steam." Jackie Kouri began the fundraising 3 years ago with a goal of $9-million. They currently have $10.5-million.

The biggest gift has come from Tom Kivisto of SemGroup and his wife. They started by providing the money to remodel the dancer's lounge and Thursday, they'll announce they're giving another $1.5-million.

Kouri says its biggest donation in the Tulsa Ballet's 50-year-history. "In SemGroup and the Kivistos stepping up at that amount, it has encouraged other community support."

"This is an important milestone. At this point, you think about the success of the past, and you think about building the excellence for the future." The Tulsa Ballet is like anything else, they recruit and Tulsa Ballet Director Marcello Angelini says nicer facilities make his job easier. "When I tell them about the building, I show them pictures, I show them drawings, and they are like, wow, you have all that in Tulsa, absolutely, and they come."