STATEMENT

Over the past week, West Australian Ballet has been monitoring, reviewing and reacting to Government announcements in relation to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), as well as the effect of the virus on our communities in WA and nationally around Australia. It is with the advice of the Company’s Board of Directors and reflection of West Australian Ballet’s recently established COVID-19 Response Team, that your State Ballet Company will postpone activities for the next 90 days.

The performance seasons, events and activities postponed include;

• Genesis;
• The Sleeping Beauty;
• STATE;
• The Sleeping Beauty Children’s Guest Artist audition;
• All Adult Ballet Classes operated weekly by West Australian Ballet;
• All external operators that hire the West Australian Ballet Centre; and
• All external meetings and events.

The decision to postpone activities for the next 90 days, including the 29 performances of Genesis, The Sleeping Beauty and STATE was not made lightly. However the Company’s priority is always the safety of our dancers, staff, patrons, workshop attendees and stakeholders.

West Australian Ballet, its Artistic Director Aurélien Scannella, Executive Director Jessica Machin and Board of Directors, hope that you will continue your support of WA’s State Ballet Company.

This 90-day postponement of activities will see a further statement issued on Monday 1 June 2020 addressing when activities will be planned to recommence, if West Australian Ballet’s Leadership Team and Board of Directors assess that it is safe to do so.

West Australian Ballet now invites those with tickets to affected seasons to consider donating the cost of your ticket to the Company. West Australian Ballet is a not-for-profit and now faces hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue which will affect the future of the Company, including future programming, the amount of Access and Education programs delivered, and the longevity of our art-form along with the incredible ability of dance to enrich lives around Western Australia and beyond.

Further communication will be sent to all affected patrons, workshop attendees, event attendees and stakeholders over the next five working days with regards to next actions.