Miami City Ballet cancels its season — but the dance will still go on

This season was supposed to be a year of celebration for Miami City Ballet, highlighting its 35th anniversary as one of the country’s top dance companies.

But then came COVID-19. Now, the company has canceled all of its scheduled in-venue performances for the Arsht, Broward and Kravis Performing Arts Centers for the 2020-2021 season.

This does not, however, mean the celebration won’t go on in a different form. Miami City Ballet is planning a season of new digital works, outdoor performances and online premieres of some of its most memorable performances.

Deciding to cancel the season was tough, but executive director Tania Castroverde Moskalenko says the company had to put the health of dancers, staff and audiences first. Dancers will remain on the company’s payroll with health benefits and shorter contracts.

“With the COVID crisis continuing, we needed to make a decision that would not only safeguard our MCB family and our community, but would also ensure the viability of our organization,” she said via email.

“While we are saddened not to perform at our partner venues this season, we are more committed than ever to staying connected to our communities. Dance is a transformative art form that unites us and extols all that the human body and spirit is capable of. It has tremendous power to heal and provides much needed beauty and inspiration.”

Subscribers will get an automatic credit for the value of their subscription and will be able to use their credit in several ways including a certificate to use for performances to be announced in coming months, a refund or a donating to the new Dancer Support Fund, which benefits the artistic staff, covering wages, health insurance and benefits.

For more information, contact the Customer Relations Team 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at 305-929-7010 or email CustomerRelations@miamicityballet.org.