Houston Ballet is proud to support trustee and Executive Committee member, Beth Zdeblick, who recently was named one of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s 2021 Women of Distinction.
A much-anticipated Houston tradition, the Winter Ball, celebrates strong female community leaders and philanthropists year after year.
Beth was nominated for this honor by Houston Ballet’s Board Chairman Shawn Stephens, a former Woman of Distinction. “Team Beth” comprised of Ballet Executive Committee members and former WODs, Kelley Lubanko and Leigh Smith and Executive Director, Jim Nelson. They all wrote letters of support for Beth highlighting her many accomplishments, some of which include many critical roles within Houston Ballet, St. John’s School and The Junior League of Houston, Inc.
Over the past decade, Beth has chaired several events for the Ballet. Her first, Raising the Barre followed by the inaugural Kingdom of Sweets Tea Party, Nutcracker Market Preview Party, Onstage Dinner and who could forget the record-breaking 50th Anniversary Ballet Ball?
Like so many events in Houston, the Winter Ball will likely look a little different, but Beth and the 2021 class of accomplished women will be celebrated none the less. The announcement, usually a surprise visit, took place safely in Beth’s front yard with a car parade of friends, family and fans of Beth. Beth’s parents and Houston Ballet supporters, Mark and Candy Rigo, joined in the festivities alongside Beth’s husband Nick and their two children William and Kate.
The Zdeblick family is no stranger to the Ballet. Their daughter Kate studies at the Houston Ballet Academy and has continued to even virtually during the pandemic. She’s performed in The Nutcracker most recently as a Mice Medic. Beth currently serves as Vice President of Academy on the Ballet board and has made it her priority to ensure the Academy continues to operate smoothly and at the highest level through the many challenges.
Beth’s involvement with the Ballet stretches far and wide from Development to Education and Community Engagement and the recently formed Campaign Committee to support pandemic relief efforts.
The Ballet has set out to raise $5 million in support of relief efforts. There is a great need to retain the tremendously talented dancers and staff that support them through this difficult time. Houston Ballet launched the campaign on July 20 and has already raised more than $2.8 million towards the fundraising goal thanks to the help of a $500,000 matching grant generously provided by The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts. Every gift made towards the campaign will be matched dollar for dollar up to $500,000.
This campaign is essential to keep the Ballet moving forward, and we want to thank our friends and supporters, like Beth, who are making every effort to ensure this is not our final act and that we’re able to keep our company dancing.
For more information about Houston Ballet’s Fundraising Campaign, please visit give.houstonballet.org/donate.
For more information about Houston Ballet Academy, please visit: houstonballet.org/academy.
En Pointe with Houston Ballet 