Staying en Pointe in San Diego

Looking for a new adventure, Elizabeth Fittro moved from Annapolis, MD to San Diego, CA. She is able to continue her professional dance career with City Ballet of San Diego. She shows promise among the new dancers being a offered a full company contract. City Ballet is able to provide her pointe shoes for the season, however little else is available for compensation. This is not uncommon. Professional dance companies struggle with providing salaries for dancers, due to competitive ticket prices and lost interest in classical art forms. Funding for arts organizations is threatened every day, as the population turns to other forms of entertainment. Dancers are asked to dance full-time hours in the studio and obtain a second job as their primary source of income. In order for dancers to provide a fresh and healthy performance onstage, they must first be able to support themselves.

This fundraiser is established to alleviate the financial hardship experienced by Elizabeth as she creates a new life for herself in San Diego. It will stand in lieu of the salary City Ballet cannot currently provide. Elizabeth typically spend 25 hours a week in rehearsals with City Ballet. Although she has obtained employment with the San Diego Yacht Club for 25 hours per week, it is not enough for the cost of living within San Diego.

Consider being a sponsor for Elizabeth's salary and also a friend of the City Ballet of San Diego. She looks forward to seeing everyone at a performance this season at the Spreckles Theatre in downtown San Diego.