By Howard Pousner
hpousner@ajc.com

Gwinnett Ballet Theatre is planning to move its headquarters from Snellville to Lawrenceville by the fall, into a state-of-the-art facility at MacLeod Avenue and Sugarloaf Parkway, across from Gwinnett Technical College. The 19,000-square-foot space will include five spacious studios, offices, a student study area, dressing areas with showers, a costume shop and set and costume storage areas.

“It will be a quality facility for quality dance training,” artistic director Wade Walthall said in a statement.

GBT board chairman Len Diprima said that the company had outgrown its Snellville space and sought to be more centrally located within the county to attract additional students. The new location also is closer to its performance home, the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center.

The company plans to expand its programming to include more classes, a conservatory program and educational events as well as extend its community outreach, including to “underserved” groups.

GBT also announced the appointment of Lee Olsen as school director. Olsen founded Pacific Ballet Academy and Pacific Youth Ballet, a ballet school and company that she led for 15 yearsin Honolulu.

Information: 770-978-0188, www.gwinnettballet.org. HOWARD POUSNER