4 months ago
SACRAMENTO, CA - The Sacramento Ballet is making a comeback this season, which opens on Oct. 17. Last year, the company was in danger of closing its doors, according to director Ron Cunningham. The company had to cancel most of its performances at the Sacramento Community Center Theatre because of fears that the company couldn't fill the house. Cunningham says it was time to get creative. His staffers slashed everything from the marketing budget to the janitorial budget. Dancers began performing at non-traditional venues, such as Second Saturday art galleries, gymnasiums, and even in the street to gain support in the community. "We knew that the worse thing we could do was shut our door and be silent," said Cunningham. "We needed to let the community know that we were fighting for our lives and that we would survive and that we needed their help." Dancers also solicited businesses to donate a portion of sales to the ballet and asked for donations at the exit doors during performances of The Nutcracker, which is the company's biggest show of the year. This year, the season opens with a choreography competition Octo. 17. by Anne Makovec, amakovec@news10.net
