Colorado Ballet announces that they are currently reimagining the remainder of the 2020/2021 season. Given the ongoing restrictions and safety considerations surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, all remaining performances for the 2020/2021 season that were originally scheduled at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House with a live audience will not take place. However, we are delighted to announce that all productions including The Great Gatsby, The Wizard of Oz and Giselle will be rescheduled.
In spite of the current situation that prevents us from gathering together to present and enjoy live mainstage productions, we remain committed to bringing world-class dance to our audiences.
We are thrilled to collaborate with Rocky Mountain PBS to bring The Nutcracker into your homes this holiday season in partnership with PNC Bank.
In January 2021, Colorado Ballet’s dancers will return to work and begin rehearsals for alternative, mixed-repertory programs that will be performed in February, March and April of 2021, featuring solos and pas de deux. Patrons will have the opportunity to view these intimate performances virtually via digital features online. Also, as health and safety guidelines allow, a limited number of patrons will be able to attend these performances in the Black Box Theater at Colorado Ballet’s Armstrong Center for Dance. Stay tuned as we approach 2021 for more information about how to view and experience these productions.
We are excited about the new possibilities our current circumstances present and the opportunity for our dancers to work on and perform different types of repertoire. We will do everything possible to enable our dancers to continue to share their artistry with you.
Ticketing Options
Please visit our website and login to your account and select the “Request a Return” button below each performance that you have tickets for. You will be given four choices: request a refund, make a donation, receive an on-account credit or exchange your tickets for a gift certificate.
Questions?
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact our friendly Patron Services Representatives at
303-837-8888 ext. 2. Please be aware that call-backs will likely take a bit longer than usual because our Patron Services Representatives are not in the office, but are checking messages remotely.
DENVER (Nov. 10, 2020) – Beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26, Rocky Mountain PBS will air a special holiday broadcast of Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker, presented by PNC Bank.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, like many performing arts organizations around the nation, Colorado Ballet is unable to perform The Nutcracker at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House this season, resulting in the loss of all ticketing revenue from this annual holiday production.
“While we are disappointed that we cannot gather together in the theatre this season to experience our beloved holiday tradition in person, we are delighted to present ‘The Nutcracker’ on Rocky Mountain PBS for you to view with your family from the safety of your home,” said Colorado Ballet Director Gil Boggs. “During these challenging times, we hope that being able to enjoy this annual tradition will bring viewers joy and comfort.”
The Nutcracker will air on PBS on the following dates and times:
“Rocky Mountain PBS is grateful for the opportunity to share the joy of the holiday season through the honored tradition of ‘The Nutcracker,’” said Amanda Mountain, president and CEO of Rocky Mountain Public Media. “Rocky Mountain Public Media is committed to supporting the arts through our ongoing programs and initiatives, and support is particularly important during this time, as arts organizations search for unique ways to engage the community.”
While Colorado Ballet is currently unable to present full-length productions in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, the organization remains committed to its mission of presenting exceptional classical ballet and contemporary dance through performances, training, education and community engagement. Visit coloradoballet.org to learn more about what the organization is doing to retain its world-class dancers and staff during these challenging times.
This presentation of The Nutcracker on Rocky Mountain PBS is made possible by PNC Bank, with additional support provided by Genesee Mountain Foundation, Colorado Athletic Club, David and Mary Ellen Wright and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).
“PNC Bank has a legacy of enriching our communities through philanthropic support of the arts and we are thrilled to support Colorado Ballet with this year’s virtual ‘The Nutcracker’ performance,” said Ryan Beiser, PNC regional president and head of corporate banking for Denver. “While we wish we could enjoy this annual holiday performance in person, we know the broadcast performance will positively impact the arts and culture community and we look forward to bringing this iconic show to homes across the state of Colorado.”
For information about how to access the Rocky Mountain PBS channel in a specific area, please visit http://www.rmpbs.org/channels/. The production also may be streamed at no cost any time throughout the holiday season on the Rocky Mountain PBS app, downloadable at https://www.rmpbs.org/pbs-video-app/.
For more details on the performance and images, please visit http://bit.ly/COBalletNutcrackerRMPBS2020.
About Rocky Mountain Public Media
Rocky Mountain Public Media (RMPM) is Colorado’s largest statewide, member-supported,
multimedia organization and the parent company of Rocky Mountain PBS (RMPBS), KUVO JAZZ
and THE DROP. Rocky Mountain Public Media has more than 90,000 members representing
every county in Colorado and reaches 98 percent of the state’s citizens through television, radio
and digital platforms. A non-commercial media organization by and for the people of Colorado,
RMPM creates high-quality local and multimedia content through Regional Innovation Centers
in Denver, Colorado Springs, Durango, Grand Junction and Pueblo. RMPBS, started in Denver in
1956 as Colorado's first public television station, is now a statewide television network, with
stations in Denver (KRMA), Pueblo/Colorado Springs (KTSC), Steamboat Springs (KRMZ), Grand
Junction (KRMJ) and Durango (KRMU). In its 35th year, KUVO JAZZ broadcasts jazz, blues, and a
lineup of locally produced diverse music programs. Launched in 2019, THE DROP is the People’s
Station for R&B and Hip Hop.
In 2020, RMPM relocated to the Buell Public Media Center. For information about the Center, RMPBS, KUVO JAZZ and THE DROP, visit the media kit.
About PNC Bank
PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:
PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States,
organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of
retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for
corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and
asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC,
visit www.pnc.com.
About Colorado Ballet
Presenting exceptional classical ballet and innovative contemporary dance through
performances, training, education and community engagement, Colorado Ballet continues to
inspire and grow an increasingly diverse audience base in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1961
by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 60
years of excellence. As a world-class professional company serving over 100,000 national and
international patrons, Colorado Ballet presents 55 performances annually to sold-out audiences
in the 2,000 seat Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The Company’s 32 professional dancers and 21
studio company dancers come from all over the world. Colorado Ballet’s The Armstrong Center
for Dance, a 35,000 square foot building, boasts eight state-of-the-art professional dance
studios and amenities for the professional Company. Under the direction of Artistic Director Gil
Boggs, Colorado Ballet performs classical ballet masterpieces, full-length story ballets and its
critically-acclaimed repertory production Ballet MasterWorks, featuring varied works from
neoclassical ballets to world premieres. The Raydean Acevedo Colorado Ballet Academy serves
over 1,200 students from toddlers to seniors each year. Colorado Ballet’s Education &
Community Engagement offers programs to students and community members, making over
25,000 contacts and reaching over 200 schools and organizations annually. Participants come
from a variety of backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses including youth, families, teachers,
and people with and without disabilities. For more information please visit coloradoballet.org.
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DENVER, CO (July 29, 2020) – Colorado Ballet announced today the cancellation of two productions in its 60th Anniversary Season, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. All 2020 performances of Colorado Ballet’s beloved production of The Nutcracker are canceled, along with the 2021 production of Ballet MasterWorks. Giselle, originally slated to take place in October, will replace Ballet MasterWorks, moving all performances out of 2020.
“It is with a very heavy heart that we must announce the cancellation of The Nutcracker this season, as well as Ballet MasterWorks in 2021, which will be replaced with our postponed season opening production of Giselle,” stated Colorado Ballet’s Artistic Director Gil Boggs. “The safety of our dancers, staff and audiences is our highest priority, and we want to ensure that everyone who experiences Colorado Ballet’s in-person performances in the future is able to do so safely. We have worked with all constituencies to evaluate every possible option. After many months of discussions and monitoring the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have unfortunately been forced to realize that we cannot safely conduct performances at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House for the remainder of 2020.”
“This is certainly not the way we hoped to open our 60th Anniversary Season,” stated Boggs. “The Nutcracker was our first production 60 years ago, so it’s very difficult for us to imagine a holiday season without it. We were looking forward to unveiling new sets and costumes for our 60th anniversary performance, but now hope to unveil them for The Nutcracker in 2021. We are extremely grateful to all our patrons and supporters for helping to build Colorado Ballet into the strong and vital organization it is today. We will get through these difficult times together, and we will be back.”
Previously scheduled for five productions at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Colorado Ballet’s 60th Anniversary season will now feature three productions: The Great Gatsby (February 5 –7, 2021), The Wizard of Oz (March 5 –14, 2021) and Giselle (April 9 –18, 2021).
Colorado Ballet’s 60th Anniversary season was originally scheduled to open October 9, 2020 with eight performances of Giselle and continue in November and December with 26 performances of The Nutcracker. Ticketing revenue from these two productions was projected to be between $3.5 and $4M.
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Colorado Ballet will depend on fundraising as its primary source of income for the remainder of 2020. In light of this extreme need, Colorado Ballet announces the launch of its Relief and Recovery Fund. With a fundraising goal of $3 million, this fund will help to cover a significant portion of the loss of ticketed revenue, helping Colorado Ballet to retain its world-class dancers and staff and emerge from this crisis as the strong company it has become over the past 60 years.
“This difficult announcement does not denote a final curtain call, but rather a prolonged intermission. We remain committed to creating dance throughout this challenging time in any way possible. We believe that the arts are more important now than ever and will continue to fulfill our mission of presenting exceptional classical ballet and contemporary dance through performances, training, education and community engagement while inspiring and growing an increasingly diverse audience.” Gil Boggs, Artistic Director
Colorado Ballet invites all patrons to connect with Colorado Ballet online via their website and social media to stay up to date with all of the latest digital offerings and virtual programming that will be released over the upcoming months.
Colorado Ballet’s dancers returned to work this week, following their summer break, to begin class and rehearsals virtually through Zoom. They will be working on choreography for next year’s performances of Giselle. Additionally, Colorado Ballet’s staff and Academy teachers remain employed. The Raydean Acevedo Colorado Ballet Academy will offer virtual classes in the fall semester starting on August 17, 2020.
Ticketing Information
Single tickets for the three productions in
Colorado Ballet’s 60th Anniversary Season will go
on sale two months before each production opens.
Single tickets for The Great Gatsby will go on sale
December 1, 2020.
DENVER, CO (March 20, 2020) – When Colorado Ballet announced the cancelation of the remainder of its season last week, the company had four weeks remaining of its 2019/2020 season. Because the company’s season finale Ballet MasterWorks demonstrates both the athleticism and artistry of Colorado Ballet’s dancers, it is a favorite of both the dancers and audiences. Like many other nonprofits and businesses throughout the country, this cancelation due to COVID-19 brought with it deep sadness and questions about possible layoffs. Colorado Ballet’s board and leadership recognized the financial impact this would have on the various artists of Colorado Ballet and unanimously decided to pay all Company and Studio Company dancers, ballet mistresses and the Colorado Ballet Orchestra through the remainder of their original contracts, which would have concluded on April 12, 2020.
“With only four weeks remaining in our season,” stated Artistic Director Gil Boggs, “We have determined that we will be able to pay our dancers through the remainder of their contracts. I am deeply grateful for each and every member of our organization. Their hard work and dedication put us in a position to be able to make this decision.”
With the cancelation of this production, many patrons decided to turn their tickets into donations to help support the organization. As a nonprofit organization that relies on the support of the community, Colorado Ballet deeply appreciates the support of all its patrons—including ticket holders, board members, donors and sponsors who, over the course of the 2019/2020 season, contributed to the company’s vibrant 59th year of presenting world-class ballet performances.
“As our board of directors and executive staff leaders continue to assess the impact of the current economic situation on Colorado Ballet’s future, we remain grateful to all of our supporters whose generosity has enabled us to honor our commitments to our artists and staff during these uncertain times,” stated Artistic Director Gil Boggs.
In addition to paying the dancers through the remainder of their contracts, Colorado Ballet will continue to pay salaries to its Colorado Ballet Academy and Education & Community Engagement teaching staff through April 6, 2020.
Artistic Director Gil Boggs expressed his gratitude to the community during these unprecedented times. “We deeply appreciate our patron’s patience, understanding and support, both throughout the year and especially during challenging times. You make what we do possible. May our shared love of the performing arts unite us as we seek peace and comfort. We will keep all of our supporters and constituents updated on how Colorado Ballet will be impacted and how you can help. We look forward to seeing our dancers back next season and having all of Colorado Ballet’s patrons back at the theatre to join us in celebrating our 60th anniversary season beginning this fall.”
DENVER, CO (March 13, 2020) – Colorado Ballet has been closely monitoring the situation regarding COVID-19, and everyone’s health and safety is our highest priority. In light of the recent mandate from the City of Denver banning public gatherings of more than 250 people from now until April 12, 2020, Colorado Ballet has canceled its season finale production of Ballet MasterWorks, April 3 – 12, 2020.
“We are deeply saddened to see the season come to a close in this manner for our dancers and the organization,” stated Artistic Director Gil Boggs, “but we understand the extreme importance of ensuring the public’s health and safety and will support all efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19. We would like to thank our patrons for their ongoing support of Colorado Ballet, and appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during this unprecedented time. We look forward to seeing all of Colorado Ballet’s patrons back at the theatre in the future.”
Patrons who have tickets to this performance have three options to enable them to continue enjoying Colorado Ballet performances.
Ticketholders may:
As a nonprofit arts organization with 55% of our operating cost covered by ticket sales, Colorado Ballet thanks all patrons who will consider donating their ticket(s) purchase.
All requests for the above three options including ticket donation, exchanges and/or gift certificates can be done via the following:
1.) Fill out the online ticket request form.
2.) Email your request to: tickets@coloradoballet.org
3.) Call Patron Services at 303-837-8888 ext. 2. If you call during the weekend, please leave a message and someone will return your call as soon as possible. Patron Services is open M – F, 10am – 4pm.
Please note that, due to increased communication, response times may be significantly longer than usual, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding.
For further questions, please contact Colorado Ballet’s in-house Patron Services team at 303-837-8888 ext. 2. If you have any questions about this communication, please email info@coloradoballet.org.