2020-2021 Season Update

Photo Credit: Susan Royce

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz & The Nutcracker Performances

Brandywine Ballet is deeply saddened to announce the rescheduling of our Fall 2020 Series (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz) and the cancellation of our December 2020 performances of The Nutcracker. The health and well-being of our dancers and patrons is our first priority during this pandemic. Based on guidance from government officials and medical professionals, it has become very clear that it will not be safe through the end of the year for large groups to gather indoors and for our dancers to rehearse as they normally would in order to bring these productions to the stage.

The cancellation of The Nutcracker is particularly disheartening as we have been presenting this holiday classic every year since 1985 and it accounts for more than 50% of our annual ticket revenue. The Nutcracker holds a very special place in so many dancers' hearts as the first live ballet performance they attended and/or performed on stage. We certainly will miss providing this opportunity to our community and the young student dancers from The Dance Center, the official school of Brandywine Ballet.

Brandywine Ballet hopes to resume performances at West Chester University's Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall with our Spring 2021 presentation of Nancy Page's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Even though we will not be performing on stage for the remainder of 2020, we remain committed to training our student dancers this season in preparation for the day when they can return to the stage. Brandywine Ballet will continue to offer weekly classes with professional dancers and choreographers for our Company Members.

While these cancellations are minor when compared to the loss of life brought on by the pandemic, the performing arts community is reeling from the negative impact of so many cancelled performances. We are grateful for the support we have received from our patrons, donors and sponsors during this crisis. Brandywine Ballet has established a COVID-19 Relief Fund to help us continue to train our dancers and sustain our studio, office and warehouse space. Your kindness and generosity will help us return to the stage when the time is right for our dancers and patrons.