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Aug 19, 2008 6:56 pm US/Central
Texas Ballet Theater In Need Of Funds
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
The North Texas ballet company known for its performances of "The Nutcracker", "Sleeping Beauty" and "Dracula" now says it may be on its last financial leg.
Usually Texas Ballet Theater dancers are seen performing onstage, but Tuesday many of them joined together outside the Bass Performance Hall to tell all who would listen about the financial woes facing the company. The dancers handed out flyers, asking people to make donations to the company.
Andre Silva says he's been dancing since he was a toddler, in Brazil. His long time dream was to dance under the instructor at the Texas Ballet Theater.
Silva says he auditioned six years ago. "As soon as I auditioned he accepted me right away and it felt, it was like butterflies in your stomach," he said.
There are 39 dancers in the dance company. "All of us, since we were little kids, it's our dream and ya know our passion," explained dancer Robin Bangert. "We love it more than anything."
That passion has been on display for Dallas and Fort Worth audiences since the company started in the 1960's. Now the ballet theater says it is in financial trouble.
Interim managing director Margot McCann said, "We're in an immediate cash crunch and we have immediate needs of half a million dollars."
McCann says she's worried about keeping the doors open.
When operating expenses and payroll are added up McCann says the dance company shells out some $250,000 a month – and that doesn't include the cost of renting performance venues.
"It's hard to wrap you mind around because it looks, on paper, it looks like we're doing so good," Bangert said. 'Our reviews are great. Our ticket sales are up 54-percent."
But McCann says a full theater isn't enough. The group depends on donations for about 40-percent of their revenue and that's where they're hurting.
Dancers like Silva say they're not ready to bow out.
Officials with the Texas Ballet Theater say the last time they faced a dire financial situation was after 9/11. Money constraints were so bad then that the company had to cancel shows and layoff some employees.
To donate to the ballet theater, click here or call 877-828-9200.
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