$9m loss, 27 jobs axed: Qld Ballet vows to fight back from brink

Queensland Ballet has posted a $9m loss, let go of 27 staff and lost two artistic directors in a rocky year, but it’s revealed an ambitious plan to revive the 65-year-old company.

Queensland Ballet is putting a disastrous 2024 behind it as it leaps into a new era under artistic director Ivan Gil-Ortega.

The Queensland Ballet Company has its sights set on lifting its national profile after a disastrous 2024 as it aims to win back support through new productions and collaborations.

The 65-year-old company had a rocky year axing 27 jobs and recording a $9.45m loss amid a radical restructure while long-term artistic director Li Cunxin retired and then his successor Leanne Benjamin left after just months in the role citing financial constraints.

Artistic director Ivan Gil-Ortega, who took on the role in February, said they were seeking new audiences and to strengthen Queensland Ballet’s trademark.

“We are going to try and get as much support as possible and get the company back into the black numbers and not the red,” he said.

“We will bring ballets that have not been seen here which will also open us up to the rest of country and make sure we’re the platform for the new talent and new story telling across the nation.

“We believe collaborations are the way forward to give us the opportunity to create a trademark of what this company can do.”

New QLD Ballet artistic director Ivan Gil-Ortega with dancers Leisel Rose and Paige Rochester, West End.

According to its 2024 financial statement, the company recorded a $5.5m fall in donations which contributed to that year’s loss following a $1.57m loss in 2023 which lead to speculation over its immediate future.

While revenue increased by $2.15m, a fall in government funding and increased operating costs contributed to the blowout.

Despite the poor financial numbers, audience demand remained strong, with a 13 per cent increase in box office revenue year-on-year, led by single ticket purchasers.

Gil-Ortega, who arrived in Queensland from Zurich, admits he misses the snow but said he was up to the challenge to build Queensland Ballet’s national profile.

“My contract is for four years and I have planned the program over that time so now it’s trying to get that program to the audience which is going to be challenging,” he said.

“Anything that has to do with culture generally, not only with Queensland Ballet, is one of the last things to be taken care of.

“We’re always fighting to be out there to stay relevant and to be able to connect with our audience. People want to have new stories because the world is different to what it was 20 years ago and we need to keep pace.”

Executive director Dilshani ­Weerasinghe this week told The Australian the past few years had been incredibly challenging.

“I’ve been in the arts for a long time and it was the hardest period. Artistic director transitions are hard anyway and someone as big as Li unexpectedly retiring … and we didn’t expect the artistic director next to happen so quickly,” she said.

Originally published as $9m loss, 27 jobs axed: Qld Ballet vows to fight back from brink