Kathy Thibodeaux
Kathy Thibodeaux is an American ballet dancer who, in 1986, became co-founder and Artistic Director of Ballet Magnificat!.
Born Kathy Denton, she studied under American Ballet Theatre’s Albia Kavan and Rex Cooper at the Jackson Ballet School (later Ballet Mississippi). In 1976, she married Keith Thibodeaux, a former child actor and musician, best known for playing Ricky Ricardo, Jr. ("Little Ricky") in I Love Lucy and The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour television shows. (He was credited for those series as Richard Keith.) In 1978, Kathy became one of Jackson Ballet Company’s first contracted dancers, dancing as a principal until 1986.
Kathy stepped into the spotlight of the international dance world in 1982, winning a silver medal at the II USA International Ballet Competition which rotates between Jackson and Russia, Finland and Bulgaria. For the third contemporary round in that competition, against the advice of many, Kathy chose to express her faith in a dance to Sandi Patty’s "We Shall Behold Him".
In 1986, Keith and Kathy founded Ballet Magnificat!, recognized as "America's premier Christian ballet company". Kathy had a passion and unique vision for something totally unheard of – a touring Christian ballet troupe that would dance to the glory of God. She envisioned Christian dancers coming together for the purpose of glorifying God in dance. In addition to bringing people into worship, Kathy wanted the group to be an outreach ministry in which dancers would share the love of Jesus with their gifts and talent.
With space donated by Belhaven College, and the help of Kathy’s friend and choreographer Gregory Smith, the fledgling company - the world’s first professional Christian ballet company - was soon dancing and touring across the country.
Since then, the company has expanded to two American touring (Alpha & Omega) companies which perform nationally and internationally yearly.
Her husband Keith became the Executive Director in 1990.
Ballet Magnificat School of the Arts began in 1989 which has an enrollment of 350. The Jackson, Mississippi based professional Trainee Program and a 4 week Summer Dance Intensive SDI attracts dancers from around the world.
In 2016, Ballet Magnificat Brasil (a Trainee Program and Performance Company) based in Curitiba was formed.
Important people
- Keith Thibodeaux, Executive Director
- Tara Thibodeaux Drew, daughter
- Bryce Drew, son-in-law