Ballet doing well despite downturn

It seems the dancers will keep pirouetting at full tilt at the Charleston Ballet Theatre, where "Alive and Kicking" is an apt title for the 2009-10 season.

"Not only are we alive and kicking, but when you consider how hard we were hit by the economic downturn, we are in pretty good shape, something I thought I would never say at Christmas when we thought we might end up $160,000 in the red," says resident choreographer Jill Eathorne Bahr.

While the CBT, run by artistic directors Don and Patricia Cantwell, had a $70,000 deficit June 30, the end of the fiscal year, the mood at the ballet is much more optimistic than it was May 20, when CBT Board President Charles Patrick sent out letters with the message: "We desperately need these funds ($70,000) to assure that our company is able to complete the planned season."

"During the Piccolo Spoleto Festival we saw such an influx of patrons that we were able to take such positive steps as hiring a development director, Angela Powell," says Bahr. "We also added 11 new board members, bringing us to a total of 31."

In addition to losing funding in an economic downturn, dance companies face expenses such as $12,000 to $15,000 a season to purchase toe shoes, costing $90 a pair.

"We pay $86,000 a year in rent, which doesn't include utilities," says Bahr.

Luckily, choreography is not an expense since Bahr creates most of the new CBT dances.

However, Patrick says that corporate contributions to the CBT are down 50 percent from the previous season, which dealt a blow to the company.

"But we are making payroll and are hoping to get between $25,000 and $50,000 from the economic stimulus money allotted to the National Endowment for the Arts," he says.

Patrick also says the CBT is waiting to receive its share of funds from Piccolo Spoleto performances and for a portion of the accommodations tax from the city of Charleston.

"We have shaved our budget from $1.1 million to a little over $900,000 for this fiscal year," says Patrick. He adds that he is optimistic that the Donnelly Foundation, a charitable group based in Chicago, will cover most of Powell's salary as a full-time development director.

During the Piccolo Spoleto Festival, it was discovered that the CBT and Fish Restaurant, across the street, were sharing the same patrons.

Those attending CBT performances were having dinner either before or afterward. The word of mouth strategy worked for both businesses, according to CBT administrative director Kyle Barnette and Randall Goldman, managing partner with Patrick Properties, owned by Charles and Celeste Patrick. Determined to take advantage of the buzz, the companies formed a partnership and will collaborate on several projects.

First up will be Fish's Bastille Day celebration July 14. The CBT will provide the entertainment for the French holiday by performing the can-can and a minuet piece, with dancers dressed in Marie Antoinette garb.

Throughout the season, Fish will host a "Meet the Dancers" party after evening performances.

Opening the CBT's "Alive and Kicking" season will be "Decadent Divas" Oct. 2-4, 9-10. The world premiere work will pay tribute to the world's greatest divas, some whom performed in the jazz clubs of the Roaring '20s, and others in the pop genre.

Choreographed by Bahr, the piece will spotlight the vocal prowess of such singers as Edith Piaf, Barbra Streisand and Billie Holiday at the CBT black box theater, 477 King St.

Returning as a classic Halloween treat Oct. 23-24, 30-31 will be "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."

"The Nutcracker" will be performed Dec. 12-13 at Gaillard Auditorium, with a performance Dec. 19 in North Charleston.

"Motown Mania," another world premiere set by Bahr, will be filled with Motor City music, ideal as Bahr is from the Detroit area. Featuring R&B classics performed by The Supremes and other singers from that musical era, the dance work will be presented Jan. 15-17, 29-30 at the black box theater.

"Masterpieces of Dance" will feature George Balanchine's "Rubies," and other classics of the ballet world Feb. 13 at the Sottile Theatre.

Another world premiere will be "Zorro," which will present a cinematic take on the legendary hero March 27-28 at the Sottile Theatre.

Featured in the Children's Series will be "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" Nov. 14-15, 21-22; "The Cat in the Hat," Jan. 31, Feb. 6-7; and "Pinocchio," March 6-7, 13-14.

Subscriptions for the mainstage season are $200 for the general public and $185 for senior citizens 65 and older. The Children's Series tickets are $50 for adults and $20 for children.

For tickets, call 723-7334 or e-mail boxoffice@charletonballet.org.

Dottie Ashley is a free-lance writer in Mount Pleasant. Reach her at dottieashley@gmail.com.