Huntsville Ballet Company Cancels 2020 Performances

HUNTSVILLE, AL — Due to recent health concerns for performers, staff and community supporters, the Huntsville Ballet announced Thursday it is cancelling all its performances for 2020 including the December performance of the Nutcracker Ballet. The Nurcracker has been performed by the Huntsville Ballet for the last 51 years, and is the organization’s premier fundraiser.

"December of 2020 will mark the first time in 51 years that The Nutcracker will not be presented to the city of Huntsville," said Phillip Otto, the Huntsville Ballet's artistic director. "This is a sad and challenging time for everyone, but we felt this was the right thing to do considering the current health situation."

Otto said The Huntsville Ballet Company relies entirely on grants, donations, sponsorships and ticket revenue from performances. "Without help from this community, Huntsville’s only professional ballet company will continue to face additional cutbacks and our professional company may well cease to exist," Otto said. " We have worked very hard to build the ballet to its current level and we will strive to provide top quality professional dance to the Huntsville community."

The ballet has organized a GoFundMe campaign to offset the loss of funds the cancellation of performances will cause.

"Huntsville Ballet Company’s audience is of great importance to us," board president Sherry Polk said. "Having watched the growth and development of a professional ballet company in Huntsville during my tenure as board president, it is heartbreaking to have to lay off dancers and cancel performances."