They were supposed to be rehearsing for their first full-length commissioned performance sa国际传媒楳acbethsa国际传媒�.
But right now, Ballet Kelowna dancers are all staying home like many residents, waiting for the pandemic to ease.
The companysa国际传媒檚 artistic director and CEO Simone Orlando said they stopped operations on March 17, while rehearsing for sa国际传媒楳acbethsa国际传媒�.
sa国际传媒�(Macbeth) was supposed to be the final production of our 2019/2020 season. It was very heartbreaking not only for the dancers, but for the choreographer, myself, and the whole organization,sa国际传媒� she said.
sa国际传媒淲e had such high hopes for this piece and the work that had been done on it was absolutely amazing. We are hopeful that we will produce the work in the future. Wesa国际传媒檙e just not too sure when yet.sa国际传媒�
Much of the dance companysa国际传媒檚 revenue comes from ticket sales, donations, as well as the adult ballet classes they offer. Once sa国际传媒楳acbethsa国际传媒� was postponed and the classes were suspended, Ballet Kelowna lost that revenue.
sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e all trying to figure out how to get through this. Earned revenue is a big part of our budget and once sa国际传媒楳acbethsa国际传媒� was postponed, it left a big gap in our revenue for the year. And of course, not knowing when we can do a performance in the future makes it extremely difficult to look ahead and plan.sa国际传媒�
Despite cancelling in-person classes, Orlando said her artists chose to continue teaching from their homes for free, so they can give back to the community during this time.
sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檝e been able to make a bit of an adjustment there so our dancers are hosting the classes on Zoom and itsa国际传媒檚 really made our program participants happy because it keeps them engaged and connected with everyone,sa国际传媒� she said.
sa国际传媒淲e really wanted to do something to try to help out. We know everyone is at home. We also have instructors from all over the country joining in, with instructors from Montreal and Edmonton and even New York.sa国际传媒�
She added the dancers have also launched a sa国际传媒楥horeographing from Homesa国际传媒� project, where they choreograph for each other through online conference calls.
sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檓 really excited to see what they all come up with, mostly because theysa国际传媒檙e in their kitchen and are holding onto counters, chairs, and tables. Itsa国际传媒檚 a very different type of space and experience.sa国际传媒�
As for when sa国际传媒楳acbethsa国际传媒� will premiere, Orlando said they hope to have it open their 2020/2021 season in November. If not then, she said they may push it to fit their spring program next year.
Orlando said many performing arts organizations are feeling the hit, and are all adjusting to the circumstances in their own way.
sa国际传媒淲e all need the support of our community to help us alongsa国际传媒� yes, there are tools and emergency funding that we can use to help us in the next six months, but if things go beyond that, thatsa国际传媒檚 when things are going to get very very difficult.sa国际传媒�
sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檓 optimistic, but we all really need the support of our communities,sa国际传媒� she added.
To donate to Ballet Kelowna, visit .
READ: Central Okanagan politicians join forces to ensure economic strength following pandemic
READ: Ballet Kelowna explores love in Valentinesa国际传媒檚 Day show
