COVID-19 Updates and Information
Latest News
UPDATE:
Swan Lake Postponed Until May 2021
As of April 30, 2020
As our world navigates this unprecedented global emergency, The Washington Ballet and the entire global arts community are facing extraordinary challenges. We are so eager to celebrate with you the beauty and humanity that is revealed so exquisitely through our art form, however, maintaining the health and safety of our artists, staff, and community is of the utmost importance. Due to the governmental stay-at-home orders and CDC guidelines, The Washington Ballet has had to postpone the June 2020 production of Swan Lake. Swan Lake will now close the 2020/21 Season on May 6-16, 2021. We are disappointed that we are unable to share the beauty of Julie Kent and Victor Barbee’s Swan Lake with you this year, but are looking forward to celebrating a two-week run next season at the Kennedy Center.
Changes to the upcoming 2020/21 Season
These unparalleled circumstances have necessitated a revision to our originally planned 2020/21 Season. We are working to optimize the upcoming season to create the safest and most joyful collection and schedule of performances. We will share these changes with you soon; as we navigate this new world, we deeply appreciate your support and patience.
Swan Lake Information for Season Ticket Holders
We are so grateful for your outpouring of support, messages of encouragement, and enthusiasm to renew for our 2020/21 Season of JOY. We want to make the transfer of Swan Lake tickets and season renewal process as easy as possible for our Season Ticket Holders. Please see the below, and email tickets@washingtonballet.org with any questions.
2019/20 Season Ticket Holders who have already renewed for the 2020/21 Season:
Swan Lake will replace Cinderella as the season-closing production. Therefore, If you have already renewed for the 2020/21 season, you now have an extra ticket on your account. We will be reaching out to you in the next few weeks with options to donate, upgrade, exchange, or refund.
2019/20 Season Ticket Holders who have not yet renewed for 2020/21 Season:
Your 2019/20 Swan Lake tickets have automatically been moved to the new production dates, and your 2020/21 Season Ticket Package now has a reduced price. If you have yet to renew your Season Ticket Package for the 2020/21 season, simply email tickets@washingtonballet.org and request an updated, reduced renewal rate and we will help you process your renewal. Alternatively, you may still complete the form you received in the mail and we will reach out to you with an updated, reduced rate before processing your transaction.
As a Season Ticket Holder of The Washington Ballet, you get to experience all the magic of the ballet with a variety of perks, including complimentary Nutcracker tickets, retaining your seat season after season, and more. Know that when you purchase a Season Ticket Package with The Washington Ballet, you are buying with confidence. We understand that flexibility and your safety are key during this uncertain time, and that’s why with every season ticket purchase, we guarantee your ability to credit your purchase towards any future The Washington Ballet performance, donate your tickets to our nonprofit cause, or receive a full refund.
Swan Lake Single Ticket Holders (tickets purchased through the Kennedy Center)
For those who purchased tickets to our April 9-19, 2020 production of Swan Lake, your tickets will automatically be migrated to the May 6-16, 2021 production dates – for the same day of the week and time in the same seats. All patrons choosing to retain their tickets for Swan Lake will receive their new tickets this Fall. If you wish to exchange your ticket for a different show, switch to another Washington Ballet performance at the Kennedy Center, receive a credit for a future Washington Ballet performance, or request a refund, please contact the Kennedy Center Advance Sales Box Office at 202-416-8540 between 10:00AM and 5:00PM Monday-Friday, or email BoxOffice-AdvanceSales@kennedy-Center.org.
Thank You for Your Support and Patience
It is during the difficult times that we are reminded of our shared humanity, the need to care for one another, and the beauty of art that invaluably adds to our lives. Stay safe and healthy, and we can’t wait to be together again and celebrate the beauty, athleticism, and artistry of The Washington Ballet.
Stronger Than Ever Campaign
March 24, 2020
Over the decades, you have helped us build an incredibly strong community at The Washington Ballet. Together, we need to ensure that the current COVID-19 state of emergency strengthens our commitment to each other and our art form.
Your support of this special fundraising appeal, Stronger than Ever, will sustain the ballet during this time of crisis. Your generosity will ensure that we can reopen as soon as possible.
Every gift will go to ensure that we are able to return to the classroom, studio, and stage stronger than ever.
In time, this too shall pass, and we will be eager to celebrate with you the beauty in humanity that is revealed so exquisitely through our art form. We are incredibly grateful for your continued support, generosity, love, and strength.
A Message from The Washington Ballet Leadership
March 23, 2020
Dear All,
As our world navigates this unprecedented global emergency, we are grieving the loss of the comfort and stability of the routine of our daily pursuits, either at work or school, and ponder the possibility of losing so much more. It is during the difficult times that we are reminded of our shared humanity and the need to care for one another… and that the stringent measures affecting us so dramatically are in place to protect the health of our local, national and worldwide population.
As The Washington Ballet explores new ways to serve our community with the transformative power of dance, we want to assure you that there is much beauty ahead, waiting on the other side of this crisis. We are grateful for your messages of support and appreciate your patience as we shift our immediate focus to a completely digital experience. With a tremendous effort from our School Division Heads and Donna Glover and Kourtney Ginn, we are building our virtual ballet school, which will include Google Classrooms and classwork for all levels with both live and recorded instruction and assignments. Our company and studio company dancers are joining forces with the entire international dance community, using social media platforms to dance together at home. Every day, we further develop new ways to connect virtually, striving to keep our dancers, students, families and broader community engaged and inspired while thoughtfully evaluating how best to position The Washington Ballet to weather this critical period and to flourish in the long term.
Remember, Lisa Gardiner established the first studio of “The Washington Ballet” in 1922 ~ it has withstood all of the hardships of the last century and it will survive this one!
During this precarious time, we recognize more than ever our dedication to carry forward hope and beauty through our art form and will do our best to offer support to our large and loving community. Our organization impacts thousands of lives…. internally, our dancers, students, families, staff, faculty, pianists, production and facilities crew; externally, our devoted patrons, our Dance DC residency partners and the 6,000+ DCPS students and residents to whom we have introduced our art form in this season alone through our field trips and Dance For All offerings.
Together, over decades, we have built an incredibly strong community, and together we need to ensure that the current state of emergency strengthens our commitment to each other and to The Washington Ballet. We are launching a special fundraising appeal called Stronger Than Ever to draw in much-needed support that will sustain the ballet during this time of crisis and enable us to return to the stage stronger than ever. We will continually update our website with information on how you can help us and will share what we are doing to help others.
In time, this too shall pass….and we will be eager to celebrate with you the beauty in humanity that is revealed so exquisitely through our art form. Until that time, we will continue to uplift, engage, and inspire, from afar, via our social media channels. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for your daily dose of #TWBdigitaldance.
On behalf of The Washington Ballet dancers, staff, and Board, we remain positive and steadfast in our commitment to you. We are all in this together and will emerge stronger, together.
Sending appreciation and hope,
Julie Kent, Artistic Director & Michael Pastreich, Executive Director
Information Regarding Performances
Swan Lake Postponed Until May 2021
As of April 30, 2020
As our world navigates this unprecedented global emergency, The Washington Ballet and the entire global arts community are facing extraordinary challenges. We are so eager to celebrate with you the beauty and humanity that is revealed so exquisitely through our art form, however, maintaining the health and safety of our artists, staff, and community is of the utmost importance. Due to the governmental stay-at-home orders and CDC guidelines, The Washington Ballet has had to postpone the June 2020 production of Swan Lake. Swan Lake will now close the 2020/21 Season on May 6-16, 2021. We are disappointed that we are unable to share the beauty of Julie Kent and Victor Barbee’s Swan Lake with you this year, but are looking forward to celebrating a two-week run next season at the Kennedy Center.
Changes to the upcoming 2020/21 Season
These unparalleled circumstances have necessitated a revision to our originally planned 2020/21 Season. We are working to optimize the upcoming season to create the safest and most joyful collection and schedule of performances. We will share these changes with you soon; as we navigate this new world, we deeply appreciate your support and patience.
Swan Lake Information for Season Ticket Holders
We are so grateful for your outpouring of support, messages of encouragement, and enthusiasm to renew for our 2020/21 Season of JOY. We want to make the transfer of Swan Lake tickets and season renewal process as easy as possible for our Season Ticket Holders. Please see the below, and email tickets@washingtonballet.org with any questions.
2019/20 Season Ticket Holders who have already renewed for the 2020/21 Season:
Swan Lake will replace Cinderella as the season-closing production. Therefore, If you have already renewed for the 2020/21 season, you now have an extra ticket on your account. We will be reaching out to you in the next few weeks with options to donate, upgrade, exchange, or refund.
2019/20 Season Ticket Holders who have not yet renewed for 2020/21 Season:
Your 2019/20 Swan Lake tickets have automatically been moved to the new production dates, and your 2020/21 Season Ticket Package now has a reduced price. If you have yet to renew your Season Ticket Package for the 2020/21 season, simply email tickets@washingtonballet.org and request an updated, reduced renewal rate and we will help you process your renewal. Alternatively, you may still complete the form you received in the mail and we will reach out to you with an updated, reduced rate before processing your transaction.
As a Season Ticket Holder of The Washington Ballet, you get to experience all the magic of the ballet with a variety of perks, including complimentary Nutcracker tickets, retaining your seat season after season, and more. Know that when you purchase a Season Ticket Package with The Washington Ballet, you are buying with confidence. We understand that flexibility and your safety are key during this uncertain time, and that’s why with every season ticket purchase, we guarantee your ability to credit your purchase towards any future The Washington Ballet performance, donate your tickets to our nonprofit cause, or receive a full refund.
Swan Lake Single Ticket Holders (tickets purchased through the Kennedy Center)
For those who purchased tickets to our April 9-19, 2020 production of Swan Lake, your tickets will automatically be migrated to the May 6-16, 2021 production dates – for the same day of the week and time in the same seats. All patrons choosing to retain their tickets for Swan Lake will receive their new tickets this Fall. If you wish to exchange your ticket for a different show, switch to another Washington Ballet performance at the Kennedy Center, receive a credit for a future Washington Ballet performance, or request a refund, please contact the Kennedy Center Advance Sales Box Office at 202-416-8540 between 10:00AM and 5:00PM Monday-Friday, or email BoxOffice-AdvanceSales@kennedy-Center.org.
Thank You for Your Support and Patience
It is during the difficult times that we are reminded of our shared humanity, the need to care for one another, and the beauty of art that invaluably adds to our lives. Stay safe and healthy, and we can’t wait to be together again and celebrate the beauty, athleticism, and artistry of The Washington Ballet.
Update: Swan Lake Rescheduled for June 13-21
As of March 12, 2020, 5:00PM
The Washington Ballet is closely following the developments of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and is following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and local health and government authorities. After careful consideration and an abundance of safety precautions for our patrons and artists, The Washington Ballet has made the decision to move the April 9 – 19 production of Swan Lake to June 13 – 21. The production remains at The Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater.
Patrons who purchased single tickets for Swan Lake will soon be able to exchange their tickets to the performance date of their choice in their price level, subject to availability. We will communicate to these patrons via e-mail in the next few days with the “go-live” date for exchanges.
Washington Ballet Season Ticket Holders’ tickets will automatically be migrated into the new show times, with their seat locations preserved. We will communicate with Season Ticket Holders via e-mail with their updated show dates. Additionally, physical tickets for Season Ticket Holders will be sent in the coming weeks. Exchanges for alternative dates will be welcome by calling The Washington Ballet’s Patron Services team at 202.891.7020 or emailing tickets@washingtonballet.org. The Washington Ballet will communicate to Season Ticket Holders via e-mail in the next few days with the “go-live” date for exchanges.
Tickets for the new dates will be available for purchase in the coming days.
We are thankful to our patrons and the greater Washington, DC community for understanding the reasons behind this schedule change, and truly appreciate and value your support and investment in The Washington Ballet and in DC’s vibrant arts community.
TWSB News
Adult Program Update
In the meantime, we look forward to dancing with you digitally through the following offerings:
Free Resources
– Social Media | Continue to check our Instagram and Facebook accounts for free classes and information.
– Adult Program Resource Guide | This document shares videos recommended or produced by our TWSB faculty and staff and will be updated throughout our closure.
Live-Streamed Open Class Schedule
Each week we offer five to six virtual, live-streamed Adult Program classes. Classes are enrollment-based and cost $13.
Live-Streamed ‘Pay What You Can” Classes
Each week we offer one ‘Pay What You Can’ class with TWB artists and faculty. Classes are open to all. Payment is not required, but a small donation to our Stronger Than Ever campaign is suggested.
We’ve launched On Demand classes for you to take as your schedule allows. Classes cost $8 and videos are available to you for seven days.
TWSB COVID-19 Updates
As of March 24, 2020
Dear TWSB Parents,
As our world navigates this unprecedented global emergency, we are grieving the loss of the comfort and stability of the routine of our daily pursuits, either at work or school, and ponder the possibility of losing so much more. It is during the difficult times that we are reminded of our shared humanity and the need to care for one another… and that the stringent measures affecting us so dramatically are in place to protect the health of our local, national, and worldwide population.
In the past week, since closing our building entirely, we have spent all of our efforts exploring new ways to support our students during this state of emergency. We are grateful for your messages of support and appreciate your patience as we focus on building our virtual ballet school. With tremendous effort from our School Division Heads and Donna Glover and Kourtney Ginn, we have created Google classrooms with classwork and assignments for all levels as well as live and recorded instruction. Every day, we further develop new ways to connect virtually, striving to keep our students and families engaged and inspired, while thoughtfully evaluating how best to position The Washington Ballet to weather this critical period and to flourish in the long term.
During this precarious time, we recognize more than ever our dedication to carry forward hope and beauty through our art form and will do our best to support our school community. It is our plan to resume classes April 27 following DCPS updated school calendar but will defer to the CDC and Mayoral recommendations. We are also planning to extend our classes further into June, knowing that our young dancers will be eager to continue training. Tuitions will continue to support our planning and virtual training during this time; our intention is to fulfill our commitment to our students.
Together, over decades, we have built an incredibly strong community, and together we need to ensure that the current state of emergency strengthens our commitment to each other and to The Washington School of Ballet. As concerns mount on how this crisis will leave us in a position of extreme financial vulnerability, we are launching an emergency relief effort, Stronger Than Ever, so that we may survive the short term and continue to serve our community for generations to come.
In time, this too shall pass…. The Washington School of Ballet is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year! It has withstood all of the hardships of the last seven decades and it will survive this one!
Until that time when we can be together again, we will do our best to uplift, engage, and inspire our beautiful and talented student body.
On behalf of The Washington School of Ballet Division Heads, Xiomara Reyes, Monica Stephenson, Kristy Windom, Pamela Bjerknes, and Molly Hohlt, faculty, staff, and pianists, we remain positive and steadfast in our commitment to you. We are all in this together.
Thank you,
Julie Kent