Ballet B.C.'s 17 dancers, whose contracts were terminated Monday (November 24), are continuing daily rehearsals at the Dance Centre.

In a telephone  interview with the Straight, lead dancer Simone Orlando said the studio space's rent had been paid up to the end of November, but that the centre has offered them free use of a studio beginning next week.

"Mirna Zagnar, the executive director of the Dance Centre, has generously donated studio space to us in order for us to do ballet class in the morning," said Orlando. "We’re committed to staying together during this time. And that means having some routine in our lives. And that routine for us right now is ballet class and also meeting with each other each day after ballet class to bring up any concerns."

She added, "As a dancer, our careers are very short. Any day that we are not working or training is lost time."

Orlando said the dancers were leading rehearsals themselves, and relying on one another for moral support. With dance supplies dwindling and their salaries cut, she said, "there’s been the possibility of a benefit [for the dancers]....Whether or not we will participate in it as dancers has yet to be determined."