Dancing through Covid: How performing arts nonprofits can survive and thrive through a pandemic

Performing arts organizations have been among the hardest hit nonprofits during Covid-19. From the ballet to Broadway, nonprofits that rely on ticket sales from live audiences packed inside enclosed spaces have scrambled more than most industries to figure out how to survive.

Southwest Virginia Ballet has been no exception. When we first featured the Roanoke dance company in August 2020 on BUZZ (episode here) artistic director Pedro Szalay and executive director Carol Jessee were struggling to figure out if, when and how to present its annual holiday tradition, The Nutcracker, the company’s defining work for most of its 30-year history.

Their answer — came in part by being featured on BUZZ and their immense creativity and can-do spirit … and is a case study in how to maintain your nonprofit’s vision and mission in spite of a pandemic. BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill chats here with Pedro and Carol.