Ballet B.C. back in business

An ebullient John Alleyne, artistic director of Ballet British Columbia, said January 12 that he was thrilled to be back at work and confident that the troupe will remain on solid ground.

“I am sure the company’s going to be stronger, and I’m very excited,” he said, just hours into his first day back on the job. On January 9, Alleyne, ballet mistresses Andrea Hodge and Beverly Bagg, and 16 dancers were rehired on a six-month contract following a unanimous creditors’ vote that saved Ballet B.C. from bankruptcy.

Although the corps originally had 18 dancers, Alleyne explained that Donald Sales, who departed last October, was never replaced, and that Melissa Morrissey has decided not to return.

On the administrative side, the company’s former executive director, Susan Howard, was not hired back, and only three administrative staff are currently on hand: a production manager, a guest-services ticket manager, and an accountant/office coordinator.

“This is an opportunity for the company to restructure and put ourselves together again,” Alleyne said. “There is a team of the board that is working with us at this point to move forward and as quickly as possible put the right people in place to lead this company forward.”

At a news conference January 9, board chair and president Graeme Barrit said to survive long-term, Ballet B.C. needs to raise $500,000 in donations by the end of the season. As of January 12, he was on a three-week leave of absence from both his position with Ballet B.C. and his job as president of Coast Hotels & Resorts.

Alleyne, who is owed $142,671, plus a separate claim of $113, is the largest creditor on Ballet B.C.’s books. Under the terms of the refinancing proposal, which will give secured creditors the first $500 they’re owed, plus 25 cents on every additional dollar, he will receive approximately $36,000.

“Ultimately, I’m here to support the company and do anything in my power to help it move forward.”¦I don’t have any intention of profiting from the bankruptcy of this organization,” he said.

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