Ballet Arizona - making ends meet

grace · **Posted:** Sat Sep 16, 2000 6:36 am

Quote:

Ballet Arizona said it will close its doors Wednesday unless it can raise $60,000 to make next week's payroll. Even if that is found, an additional $300,000 will be required over the following six weeks for payroll and production-related expenses.

"We are out of money. It is as simple as that," Gwen Hillis, chairwoman
of the Ballet Arizona board, said at a news conference Friday morning. - - -

The potential death blow comes just as the company has found its
balance with a new artistic director, former New York City Ballet
superstar Ib Andersen, and a new executive director, Sherry New.
- - -

The Arizona Ballet School, though affiliated with Ballet Arizona, is a
separate 5013C non-profit corporation and is unaffected by the
company's situation.

The company's disappearance could mean the end of Arizona-based
professional ballet. - -

Founded in 1986, Ballet Arizona has had the longest run of any
professional classical ballet company in the state. If it survives, its
season will open next month with a program featuring George
Balanchine's Serenade, Paul Taylor's Company B and a new work by
Andersen, followed by the Nutcracker in December.

http://www.azcentral.com:80/news/0916ballet16.html
[This link has expired]

[ 07 September 2003, 01:13 PM: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]

Stuart Sweeney · **Posted:** Sat Sep 16, 2000 6:56 am

One wonders whether this second emergency for a US ballet comapny is a coincidence or whether there is a general malaise which is sweeping the art form. In terms of timing, I would guess that some companies are not paying dancers through the summer and so have a lower wage bill. With the start of the new season a vulnerable position is exposed. Something that worries me is that the US economy is doing super well at the moment. What is going to happen when there is a downturn and sponsors reduce their donation levels?

Azlan · **Posted:** Sun Sep 17, 2000 11:42 am

This is a sad trend. I speculate that it may have to do with the reduction of funding by the National Endowment of the Arts and the private sector having to step up to the plate. Do others have opinions? Kim?

trina · **Posted:** Sun Sep 17, 2000 1:54 pm

Sad state of affairs....I went to school at Arizona State Universtity and went to several of their shows. This company is "it" for professional ballet in Arizona; so it's too bad that it's come to this. Didn't their former director Michael Uthoff get fired or quit recently?...all these regional ballet companies seem to think that if they get a big enough "name " artistic director, everything will be just fine. Do they put as much effort into the non-glamorous tasks of balancing their books, fundraising, getting and keeping good board members, etc.? This is just as important as the artistic side...also audience development and community outreach...all these things are going to build your organization in the long run....I think...

grace · **Posted:** Sun Sep 17, 2000 2:56 pm

some excellent points above...sounds to me like Arizona Ballet and San Jose Ballet ought to have talked to each other about two weeks ago!no, i'm not being flippant...after all, arizona is much closer to san jose than cleveland, and if that cleveland company was used to 'commuting' to perform between the two cities, and only some of them are willing to move (understandably), how about Arizona/San Jose Ballet? (with a MUCH better name, trina!

) -based in Arizona (where living costs are ptrobably cheaper) and ALSO performing in San Jose, where there is a loyal audience and lots of cash! employing the dancers from Cleveland who are willing to move (to Arizona), AND the best of the Arizona dancers, as suited to the new style/new rep/whatever.after all, there are SO many companies in the bay area, and trina seems to be saying this is pretty much the only one for arizona.........<big>WHY</big> don't people just <BIG>ASK ME</BIG> & do what i say!!!!!!

grace · **Posted:** Sun Sep 17, 2000 2:57 pm

p.s. i could <BIG>solve</BIG> the problems of the world if they just <BIG>WOULD!</BIG> (like stuart!) -

grace · **Posted:** Sun Sep 17, 2000 7:16 pm

ballet arizona website:
http://www.balletaz.org/

Quote:

9/15/00 "We are simply out of money." With that very simple
statement, Gwen Hillis, Chairman of the Ballet Arizona Board of
Directors, told a news conference this morning that --"barring any
miracles" -- the state's leading classical ballet company will cease
operations at 4p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 20th.
The Ballet needs $60,000 by that time to meet payroll for Sept 22 and
an additional $300,000 to continue operations through the next six
weeks until ticket sales for The Nutcracker pick up momentum, - - -

Donations can be made by mail to Ballet Arizona, 3645 E. Indian
School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85018, in person to the same address
or through the company's web site at http://www.balletaz.org

http://www.balletaz.org/default.asp?nav=News&bodnav=News&more=more&article=8

[ 09-06-2002, 09:08: Message edited by: Azlan ]

Azlan · **Posted:** Sun Sep 17, 2000 9:25 pm

I have third hand -- or is it fourth hand -- information via Leigh Witchell that the Ballet Arizona situation isn't really indicative of other American companies. Apparently, the current directors inherited a company that was improperly managed financially by their predecessors. Additionally, the board was weakened by a high turnover rate in both the artistic and administrative leadership.BTW, Leigh says that since his information is third hand, he is appreciative of other interpretations and opinions.[This message has been edited by Azlan (edited September 18, 2000).]

Maggie · **Posted:** Mon Sep 18, 2000 4:51 am

Azlan, that is a strong determining factor. I believe that many small companies run into these exact same problems. This combined with community dynamics often spells disaster. Community dynamics, on a simple level, can be a new community project, where available money gets diverted, i.e. a new community center, park, etc. Also, financial demographics. Certain areas of Arizona are quite wealthy, so it would make sense that if the administrative aspects were lacking, then access to the support by local wealth would not be promoted.

grace · **Posted:** Tue Sep 19, 2000 1:56 pm

so are there other companies in arizona, or is this really 'it'?

grace · **Posted:** Wed Sep 20, 2000 4:02 pm

note: there have been a number of other articles about this situation in the arizona republic, which, like the NY times, requires you to register and sign in. since i personally can never be bothered with that sort of arrangement, i don't report ny times links, and i haven't been supplying the arizona republic ones either. <img src="http://www.criticaldance.com/ubb/redface.gif" alt="" />

if you have more patience than me, or are especially interested in this subject - here are some links:
http://www.arizonarepublic.com/arizona/articles/0919ballet19.html
http://www.arizonarepublic.com/opinions/articles/0919breakout191.html
http://www.arizonarepublic.com/opinions/articles/0920wedlet202.html
[These links have expired]

[ 09-06-2002, 09:09: Message edited by: Azlan ]

grace · **Posted:** Thu Sep 21, 2000 4:07 pm

a benefit concert. sounds like they're making strides money-wise: <A HREF="http://www.azcentral.com/rep/arts/articles/0921ballet21.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.azcentral.com/rep/arts/articles/0921ballet21.html</A>

grace · **Posted:** Sat Sep 23, 2000 4:37 am

Quote:

To the sound of whoops and cheers from the company's dancers, Ballet Arizona board Chairwoman Gwen Hillis announced Friday that the company has raised the $360,000 it needs to struggle through the fall season until its annual production of Nutcracker.

http://www.azcentral.com:80/news/0923ballet23.html
[This link has expired]

[ 09-06-2002, 09:09: Message edited by: Azlan ]

Stuart Sweeney · **Posted:** Sat Sep 23, 2000 7:56 am

Great news! I'm not keen on 'The Nutcracker', but I am keen on the money it brings into ballet companies.

grace · **Posted:** Tue Sep 26, 2000 8:09 pm

more arizona republic links, if you can be bothered to sign in:
http://www.arizonarepublic.com/opinions/articles/0921thurlet214.html
http://www.arizonarepublic.com/opinions/articles/0925monlet253.html
[These links have expired]

[ 09-06-2002, 09:10: Message edited by: Azlan ]


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