Ballet commits to financially support dancers through COVID-19

SARASOTA — The Sarasota Ballet has committed to financially supporting its dancers through the COVID-19 crisis. 

With six weeks until the end of The Sarasota Ballet’s season, on March 17, the dancers were informed the rest of the season had been cancelled due to the coronavirus, according to a press release. 

Director Iain Webb, Executive Director Joseph Volpe and Assistant Director Margaret Barbieri also informed the 34 company members, 8 apprentices and 13 studio company dancers that The Sarasota Ballet would continue to pay their salaries and medical insurance through to the end of their contracts.

“Iain, Margaret, and I felt strongly that even with the financial losses that The Sarasota Ballet is incurring by cancelling two of our most important programs of the Season, we could not just lay off our dancers and effectively abandon them at this critical moment,” says Volpe in a statement. 

The Sarasota Ballet estimates a loss of over $800,000, not including potential losses in fundraising revenue and the potential impact to the 30th anniversary season. It is asking audience members to donate their tickets and to consider making a gift to The Sarasota Ballet Emergency Fund.