The Joffrey Ballet cancels all performances through 2020

Due to the ongoing pandemic, The Joffrey Ballet has cancelled all of its performances for the remainder of the year, including Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker. Winter and spring performances scheduled for February, April and May 2021 will continue as planned; specific programming will be announced at a later date. 

“Like all arts organizations, the Joffrey is dealing with unprecedented and unpredictable conditions,” said Ashley Wheater MBE, The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet. “Based on advice from health experts and local officials, it is not feasible to present the first half of our season in a manner that guarantees the safety of our audience, artists, production crew, and staff members.”

“It saddens all of us,” Wheater continued. “Our focus right now is keeping the Company whole and in good mental, spiritual, and physical health.”

Additionally, the Joffrey has established a Crisis Stabilization Fund to recoup financial losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The loss of The Nutcracker alone — more than half of the Joffrey’s annual earned revenue — compounds a financial crisis for the Company that began this past spring,” said Greg Cameron, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We will now put our full attention and energy toward the Crisis Stabilization Fund to ensure the long-term health of the Joffrey."

The Joffrey Crisis Stabilization Fund

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the cancellation of the Joffrey’s 2020 spring production of Yuri Possokhov’s Don Quixote and upcoming presentations of Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon and Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker—an estimated earned revenue loss of more than $6.5 million.  The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, and Joffrey Community Engagement have moved to virtual programming indefinitely. 

This coming season, the Joffrey will rely almost entirely on contributed revenue to meet its financial commitments. The establishment of the Joffrey Crisis Stabilization Fund attempts to recoup lost funds stemming from COVID-19 and maintain basic operations for the next 12-18 months.

In Accordance with City and State Mandates

The Joffrey Ballet continues to make the safety of its audience, artists, and staff its priority. Joffrey Tower (10 E. Randolph St.) remains closed to all outside visitors until further notice, with administrative work taking place remotely. Normal activities will resume in accordance with city and state mandates, with guidance from local health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and in coordination with Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Joffrey’s new home performance venue.