Less ballet, but bigger draw
After reducing its summer ballet program from three to two weeks, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center announced today that average attendance and income is up this year.
The two-week season of the New York City Ballet posted an increase in average attendance of 24 percent and a rise in average ticket income of 19 percent when compared with the 2008 season.
Average attendance for the ballet during the 2009 season rose to 2,491 versus 2,017 last year. Average ticket income for each performance was $66,786 versus $56,040 in 2008.
The final matinee of Coppélia drew 4,626 people — the highest attended ballet performance in four years, according to a statement issued this afternoon.
Total attendance for the two-week 2009 season was 34,873. There were 42,354 ballet goers during the three-week season in 2008.
Update: The NY Times has an interesting piece today about 11 dancers who are being let go after this season for, you guessed it, economic reasons.
– Thomas Dimopoulos
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