FALMOUTH – Maine State Ballet has been awarded a $10,000 grant for electrical, lighting and sound improvements to its in-house theater by the Sam L. Cohen Foundation.

“This grant will greatly enhance all Maine State Ballet Theater productions by increasing the electrical circuitry to allow for additional theatrical lighting units and upgraded sound equipment. We are fortunate that the timing of the award has allowed us to make these improvements before our spring ballet performances,” said Linda Miele, Artistic Director of Maine State Ballet.

Upcoming at the Maine State Ballet Theater are four encore performances of “The Firebird” and “Paquita” Friday, Feb. 29, and March 1, 7 and 8. During the first two weekends in April, Maine State Ballet will present the story ballet “Coppelia.”

“The Firebird” is a Russian fairy tale about Prince Ivan, the evil ogre Kostchei, a mysterious Firebird and the beautiful princess Elena. It is set to Igor Stranvinsky’s dramatic score.

“Paquita” is the story of Paquita, a girl who is rescued from a massacre as a child by gypsies and who years later, while traveling and dancing with the gypsy band, returns to her home in the Spanish valley town of Sargossa. She is subsequently reunited with her family. The divertissements performed are from Act II, Scene II, at Paquita’s wedding celebration.

Performances are at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. The Maine State Ballet Theater is in the ballet company’s headquarters at 348 U.S. Route One. For more information, visit www.mainestateballet.org.