Ballet San Jose is Reborn as Silicon Valley Ballet

November 28, 2001

Ballet San Jose is no more. In its place is the new Silicon Valley Ballet—a re-branding meant to show that the ballet company belongs to the whole region, not just the city of San Jose. The company was able to beat its budget shortfall with help from the larger community, so the new name is fitting.

 

Just a few months ago, the company faced possible closure due to a budget deficit of $550,000. Since then, fundraising campaigns have been successful enough to keep the doors open—but the company has only raised $2.3 million of a needed $3.5 million. Millicent Powers, the board chair, told the San Jose Mercury News that the board is “quietly confident and optimistic.” The company was able to raise $640,000 in 10 days at the peak of their budget crisis—a testament to the community’s support.

 

The 2015/2016 season will feature a wide variety of ballets. Notably, the company will perform Alicia Alonso’s version of Giselle, as well as its popular “Bodies of Technology” program, George Balanchine’s Who Cares and Septime Webre’s ALICE (in wonderland).