Save Ballet San Jose by March 14 #SV4BSJ

[BayAreaSM]

Ballet San Jose (BSJ) is on the verge of closing it's doors on it's professional company, school and education outreach programs - for good. We have to raise $550,000 by 11:59pm on Saturday, March 14. So far we've raised $336,000 - but there's still a long way to go in 4 days.

I've worked for this company for 12 years - I ASM'd for 5 and am now in my 7th season as a the PSM. I've learned so much about the art of ballet - the beauty, the difficulty - I've learned about myself as a person, and how to improve as a stage manager. I started out as someone who hated dance, and I've progressed through taking ballet classes personally, falling in love with dance, and bringing my son up in the ballet. Now he takes classes at my company and looks up to all of the professional dancers. And they love watching him grow in the studio - most have know him since he was 3 months old.

Our entire company has been on a strong social media campaign since last week - we've been lucky enough to have our story picked up by the local FOX and NBC news stations, as well as several papers - even the Washington Post. While I really want to save the company for the sake of art, I want to save it more for my son's love of dance. If this company closes, I lose my PSM job and the ability to afford ballet classes for my son. I don't want that to happen - I want him to keep dancing with a school, teacher and professional dancers that he loves.

I know it's asking a lot for people in the arts to donate to another arts group, so that's not what I'm asking for. I'm asking you to share our story - I'd love to push this message as far as it can go - and hopefully someone will see your post and want to help. For the sake of art and for the sake of ballet student's educations and futures in dance. Please help.

If you are willing to post, all of my company's posts are available for sharing (https://www.facebook.com/BalletSJ). There are several videos from students in our school, company dancers, and even the SM Staff (and Director of Production) for the cause. I'll post my favorite links below for sharing. Anything you can do to get our story out there more would mean the world to me. And when you do share, please use our campaign hashtag: #SV4BSJ (Silicon Valley for Ballet San Jose)

My SM staff and I for our "Best Dance Move"
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=938477289517548&set=vb.144316332266985&type=2&theater

My son's "Best Dance Move"
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=938468156185128&set=vb.144316332266985&type=2&theater

My son's "What BSJ Means to Me"
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=936679779697299&set=vb.144316332266985&type=2&theater

An amazing "Best Dance Move" video by students in the upper levels of our school
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=938790969486180&set=vb.144316332266985&type=2&theater

The starter video for "Best Dance Move" featuring CEOs and staff from Silicon Valley companies:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epfwZ0UGXJc&feature=youtu.be

If you've read this far, thank you! I hope you can share our story - and if you want to donate, no amount is too small. We've had donations from $5 to $100,000 - every bit helps!

Thank you,
Les Reinhardt

Production Stage Manager
Ballet San Jose
balletsj.org #SV4BSJ

[loebtmc]

(ooh ooh which one are you?)

[BayAreaSM]

From SR to SL: ASM, PA, PSM (me) and Director of Production

Our board chair poked fun at me because I was a half second early on the feet opening to 1st position. I claim SM calling skills - if I called the cue there, the op would get it done at the right time. My feet just happened to be connected to the calling part of my brain. :)
Post Merge: Mar 11, 2015, 11:07 pmHere's an update: BSJ just received an unrestricted grant for $105,000 from the city of San Jose - and a few others donated right on the spot. We're at $520,000 and our goal for Saturday is $550,000. If you could keep sharing the posts I've mentioned above (or any posts about Ballet San Jose) I would be so grateful.

We've received donations from California to Pennsylvania to as far as Australia. If you feel inclined to help the cause, every little bit helps. If you have already shared (or donated) THANK YOU. Thank you for helping save the arts!