A Street Car Named CANCELLED.

Matthew Neff | Dec 27, 2008 | there are 1 comments 1
photo taken from www.balletbc.com

photo taken from www.balletbc.com

We all know the financial world is in the beginning of a recession. Tough times have made all of us reevaluate how we go about our daily operations.

One ballet company's artistic director and dancers has been hit with the familiar pink slip that most Americans are becoming friendly with.

From the New York Times:

Troubled Ballet Cancels Spring Tour
Compiled by DAVE ITZKOFF
Published: December 26, 2008
Days after announcing that it had sold enough tickets to its year-end performances of "The Nutcracker" to keep the production alive, the Vancouver dance company Ballet BC has canceled a spring tour, the CBC reported. The planned five-city tour of Canada, in which the company was to perform a ballet version of "A Streetcar Named Desire" choreographed by its artistic director, John Alleyne, was scheduled for April. But Graeme Barrit, the president of the ballet, said, "We just can't afford it," according to the CBC. In November Mr. Alleyne and the company's dancers were laid off by the struggling ballet, which had already committed to its production of "The Nutcracker" featuring the Moscow City Ballet. Those shows were able to go on, but the ballet said it still needed about $165,000 to rehire Mr. Alleyne and its dancers.

Ok so here are my two cents.

I do not know anyone from this company. I am basing this blog off of the New York Time blurb and Ballet BC's press release. I do think that there is an easy solution. MR. ALLEYNE SHOULD EITHER CUT COSTS FOR HIS BALLET OR NOT DO THE BALLET. Why would anyone invest so much time and money into a project when the financial backing is not there. He had a troupe of dancers. He was partly responsible for putting a check in their pocket and feeding them. If the company needs $165,000 to rehire everyone then here are some things they can do:

1- Cancel the premiere of this ballet and create new pieces with emerging choreographers for a cheaper rate

2- Restructure Mr. Alleyne's salary

3- Restructure the dancer's salaries (If Mr. Alleyne takes the cut he should then the dancers wouldn't have to take such a large cut)

4- The company should re-brand itself.

5- Grants, grants, grants.

6- Fire the executive director. If the executive director can't keep the company at least floating then that person needs to get the boot.

7- Start licensing the companies original works to colleges and companies for a reduced rate.

8- Rent their costumes and sets

9- Restructure their subscription base.

10- When all else fails -- pray you find a rich person.

I hope Ballet BC figures out what to do. Art institutions are always the first to fall when a financial crisis occurs. If they can figure it out then that should give hope to even smaller companies and brand new companies.

This is a press release from Ballet BC's website (www.balletbc.com)

/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2008

Nutcracker sales save Ballet BC
Company averts bankruptcy but needs $200,000 to reopen its doors  

Vancouver, BC " This year, Ballet BC has received the best Christmas present of all, the Company is delighted to announce it has exceeded its goal of 12,000 tickets sold for the Moscow Classical Ballet's presentation of the Nutcracker, December 28, 29, & 30 at 7:30pm & December 29, 30, 31 at 1:30pm at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. While this means Ballet BC has averted bankruptcy proceedings, the Company requires $200,000 in pledged donations in order to bring Artistic Director John Alleyne and the dancers back into the studio beginning January 12, 2009. So far, supporters of the ballet have pledged $25,000 towards its goal.

On November 25, 2008, Ballet BC's Board of Directors announced it had terminated all 38 Company staff and dancers due to flagging subscriptions and ticket sales. The future of the Company hinged on selling 12,000 tickets to the Moscow Classical Ballet's performance of the Nutcracker achieving this goal would provide the Company with enough liquidity to reorganize its finances and present a plan to its creditors.

The incredible support from the people of British Columbia has allowed Ballet BC to reach its sales goal, which in turn ensures we are able to repay our creditors, explained Graeme Barrit, Chairman and President of Ballet BC's Board of Directors. In order to move forward and function over the course of the next six to eight weeks, which includes bringing the dancers back to the studio in January to prepare for Carmen, the Company needs to raise $200,000. If every individual who attends the Nutcracker donates just $15 to Ballet BC, then we will be able to reopen our doors.

Ballet BC's company of dancers are set to return to the studio in January to begin rehearsals for Carmen, the tragic love story of a fiery Gypsy temptress who pushes the men in her life to the explosive limits of their passion. Following, the Company will close its 2008/09 danceAlive! season with John Alleyne's critically acclaimed A Streetcar Named Desire based off the infamous Tennessee Williams play.

Speaking on behalf of all the dancers and staff at Ballet BC, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Board and most importantly, the people of Vancouver, for their unwavering support and commitment to the survival of Ballet BC, said Ballet BC's Artistic Director John Alleyne. Moving forward, we are excited to begin preparations for the future, ensuring Ballet BC remains a vibrant and necessary part of the cultural landscape.

The January performance of Swan Lake, presented by the Universal Ballet of Korea, remains cancelled. Carmen will take to the stage February 26-28, 2009 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Tickets range in price from $35.75 to $85 (plus applicable taxes), and are available at Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.ca, or by calling 604-280-3311.

About Ballet BC
Since its inception in January 1986, Ballet BC has quickly become an internationally respected dance company. Bold, innovative, and sophisticated, the company has developed a unique, signature performance style that separates itself from its contemporary counterparts around the
world.

Consisting of 18 classically trained ballet dancers from across the globe, the company makes a unique and valuable contribution to the art and development of dance by commissioning, creating, purchasing, and remounting contemporary ballets, which are then performed to regional, national, and international audiences.

Reference:
Viola Kaminski
Media Relations
Curve Communications
T: 604-684-3170, ext. 110
C: 604-505-6363
E: viola@curvecommunications.com

Brian Paterson
Media Relations
Curve Communications
T: 604-684-3170, ext. 102
C: 778-319-4165
E: brian@curvecommunications.com

/

I really don't think this press release is going to do any good. It asks the reader to give pity to the company. It doesn't say anything with passion about the company's artistic merit. It just basically says, "BOO HOO! WE MISMANAGED OUR MONEY! GIVE US MORE!"

I want to know about how they plan on changing the infrastructure, daily operations, fund raising, etc. Let this be a lesson to companies out there that money is going to get tight. TIghten your purses. It's going to be a bumpy ride.

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tags Ballet, Jazz, Enthusiast, Performance, Alleyne, BC, British, Columbia, John (all tags)


A Street Car Named CANCELLED. | 1 Comment | Post a Comment
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Grants

I agree with much of what you say here, but I have to say that grants will be harder and harder to come by. The recession may be hitting hardest in the U.S., but funding is decreasing globally as well. Sadly, the arts tend to suffer the worst when financial cuts need to be made.

user icon Wendy Garofoli | Jan 06, 2009 | rated none by 0 others

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