FOUNDER + FACULTY ARTIST: Jim Ballard is a local performer in the Eugene, Oregon area. He started his dance and performance training at Lane Community College in 2007. Jim has danced with the LCC Dance Company, Ballet Fantastique, and DanceAbility International. In 2009, he attended the American Dance Festival at Duke University on scholarship.

Jim regularly performs at The Shedd Institute for the Arts. His first performances included “Babes in Arms” and “South Pacific” in 2008. Since then he has continued his work with the Shedd’s theatricals, as well as teaching for the Shedd’s musical theater camps. Jim has also appeared in local T.V. commercials and has performed in PNW-based music and dance videos.

Jim is passionate about improvisation in acting and dance — creating something from scratch and not knowing what comes next is a skill that strengthens adaptability and creativity. He enjoys seeing the spark that lights up when a student or artist finds something in them that they never knew was there...