Carol Krajacic Erkes, a professional dancer, danced with major US ballet companies and founded Florida Dance Theater in 1993 in Lakeland – Polk County’s first professional dance company. Florida Dance Theatre was made up of dancers from all over the country and featured guest choreographers and teachers with a wide range of experience.
In addition to performances, Erkes made sure Florida Dance Theatre had strong outreach programs: partnerships with organizations such as Family Fundamentals; the Lakeland Housing Authority; free summer camps; scholarship programs; and in-school performances. For many years, Florida Dance Theatre provided special performances of The Nutcracker to thousands of Polk County elementary students and senior citizens. Erkes retired from her position at Florida Dance Theatre in 2019, leading the organization for over twenty-five years. The City of Lakeland proclaimed September 16, 2019, as “Carol Krajacic Erkes Day.”
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