A collaborative performance by members of the Ensemble Ballet Theater and the Maple Valley School of Ballet is a win-win situation.

Slated for May 23 at the Kentlake Performance Auditorium it allows local dancers to show off their skills while allowing residents an opportunity to take in some ballet without traveling too far from home.

Jessica Hamblen-Klepper, director of Maple Valley School of Ballet, said that after her students participated in the Dance of Hope in Kirkland in recent years she thought it made sense to bring an event like that here.

“I thought doing something similar in Maple Valley would be a great opportunity to bring our local dance community together, as well as benefit a charitable organization,” Hamblen-Klepper said. “The Maple Valley Creative Arts Center seemed to be the perfect fit as both producer and receipent.”

Christina Grachek said it’s a thrill for the Arts Council to be the beneficiary of proceeds raised by the event.

“We are humbled and impressed at their energy – Ensemble Ballet is working hard on their upcoming Midsummer Night’s Dream performance,” Grachek said. “We are greatly appreciative of their support, encouraging the arts in Maple Valley.”

MaryJane Glaser, president of the arts council, said Hemblen-Klepper approached her about the idea last fall.

“Both dance organizations warmed my heart by recognizing MVCAC’s on-going efforts to support and foster the arts in our community,” Glaser said. “They wholeheartedly volunteered their students’ talents to join forces in an event we named, ‘Dance for the Creative Arts.’ ”

Hamblen-Klepper said her students will showcase some dances they are currently working on.

“For MVSB, we are presenting the ‘Earth’ section from our upcoming presentation of The Elements in June,” she said. “Rehearsals are held as an extension of their twice weekly ballet classes, and have been going on since January.”

Ensemble Ballet were not only preparing for this performance, as Grachek noted, but dancers from the non-profit group have also been rehearsing for “A Midsummer Night’s’ Dream,” EBT’s spring production which recently wrapped up.

Kim Wooten, creative director for EBT, said there is no better way to bring dance arts to the community than to collaborate with other studios.

“Maple Valley Creative Arts Council is a worthy organization that we have collaborated with before, and we are very excited to be helping benefit any organization that brings art to the community,” Wooten said. “Maple Valley School of Ballet is well known for quality dancing, and I know that the collaboration between the two studios will be a show that will get people excited and put a smile on their faces.”

There will be about 40 dancers from EBT participating in the performance, Wooten said, ranging in age from 8 to 19, and they have been rehearsing once or twice a week.

“Most of the pieces will be from our repertoire collection that we premiered the first weekend in May. We will also be introducing two new pieces at this production,” Wooten said. “Additionally, we are doing a collaborative production number with Maple Valley School of Ballet that we are very excited about! The theme is ‘Hairspray’ and the kids are having a great time with it.”

A trio of alumni will also perform, Wooten explained.

“Erik Dahl, who is currently dancing at Cornish, Samantha Hobart, currently dancing with En ‘Lair in Seattle, and Kenzie Bir, currently dancing with the University of Oregon,” she said. “All three of these dancers danced with EBT up until the time they graduated from high school and went to college. I love the fact that EBT fosters a love for dance that encourages dancers to keep dancing, regardless if they desire to dance as a career.”

Hamblen-Klepper encouraged anyone interested in the arts to check out the performance.

“Dance for Creative Arts is a wonderful opportunity to see a diverse range of choreography,” she said. “This is not a recital, but a concert presenting different choreographic styles and schools of movement. It is a great opportunity to not only see dance, but to support the local arts community as a whole.”

Glaser said the event has potential to become part of a long term partnership.

“We are confident that the show will be wonderful and hope it will be an annual affair,” she said. “Our purpose is to foster the love of dance, encourage young people to participate in dance and donate the proceeds of the event to fund the operations and programs at the Creative Arts Center.”

Wooten said there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

“We are covering classical ballet, swing, salsa, contemporary ballet and musical theatre (among other dance styles),” she said. “The quality of dancing is excellent, and the passion these young dancers have for dance is contagious to the audience.”