MILWAUKEE – March 19, 2008 – The Milwaukee Ballet has hired Chris Allen as the organization’s new Marketing Manager.  Allen will manage the Ballet’s marketing efforts including audience communications, subscriber campaigns, media relations, Web site development and ticketing.

“Chris has a wealth of experience in marketing and communications and we’re thrilled to have him on board during this exciting time for the Ballet,” said Dennis Buehler, Executive Director of the Milwaukee Ballet.  “His knowledge of the Milwaukee marketplace, strong local relationships and expert skills will be great assets to the Ballet.”

Prior to his new position, Allen was the Operations Director for the Milwaukee International Film Festival where he managed operations and marketing efforts for the festival, including sponsorship cultivation, press relations and community outreach.  Allen also brings marketing and promotional experience from his previous positions at the Hunger Task Force and the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.  Allen started at the Ballet February 25, 2008.

About the Milwaukee Ballet
Founded in 1970, the Milwaukee Ballet strives to inspire its audiences to think within and beyond traditional ballet through the presentation of quality performances and the implementation of educational opportunities.  The Milwaukee Ballet and the Milwaukee Ballet School are recognized among the top companies in the nation.  With an annual operating budget of more than $5 million, the Milwaukee Ballet presents more than 40 performances to more than 50,000 people each year.  Its resident company includes 25 professional dancers along with 17 trainees in its Milwaukee Ballet II program and is one of the few dance companies in the country to maintain its own symphony orchestra.  The Milwaukee Ballet School, the official school of the Ballet, has an enrollment of nearly 900 students at four locations throughout Southeastern Wisconsin.

The Milwaukee Ballet has two shows remaining in the current 2007-08 season, Milwaukee Ballet at the Pabst April 3 – 6 at the Pabst Theater and Season Finale May 15 – 18 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.  Single tickets for both shows are still available and can be purchased by calling (414) 902-2103 or visiting www.milwaukeeballet.org.