A gratuitous recycling of one of its most popular shows is one way Queensland Ballet intends to begin to shrug off a debt of a little over $5 million.
To dance its way back to profitability it is bringing back, among other things, Derek Deane’s acclaimed production of Strictly Gershwin in 2027, pandering to populism and hoping for a box-office bump. And why not?
That show is a classic for a reason and Deane is something of a choreographic genius, which is why we are all looking forward to his tweaked Nutcracker in December.
Before we get to next year’s program, though,we have to address the elephant in the room. That parcel of debt.
A recent media beat-up suggested it was all doom and gloom at Queensland Ballet, but there is a glass-half-full upside to the financial strife the company found itself in after the departure of former artistic director Li Cunxin and the expenses involved in its swish refurbished premises at West End.
The company claims the deficit has been halved in one year, down from $9.8 million to $5.24 million, with a view to posting a surplus by the end of this year.
The company’s annual report gave encouraging news from 2025 with total income of $24.9 million, up 13 per cent on the previous year with the operating deficit reduced 45 per cent to $5.24 million.
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Almost 50,100 tickets sold across 96 performances during the 2025 season. There was $2.5 million in ticket revenue from The Nutcracker, with 19,782 tickets sold (expect more this year) and $2.22 million was raised through Giving Day, the strongest result since the campaign began in 2019. More than 187,000 people visited the revamped Thomas Dixon Centre as use of the precinct continued to expand.
Queensland Ballet chair Brett Clark says the result represents encouraging progress while acknowledging significant work remained. Queensland Ballet continues to operate in a challenging environment, with rising production costs, cost-of-living pressures and increased competition for discretionary entertainment spend.
“Queensland Ballet is at the beginning of a significant transformation,” says Clark. “Long-term sustainability will require continued cost discipline across the organisation, compelling artistic work, deeper audience relationships, stronger partnerships, smarter use of our assets and more diversified income.”
Clark thanked the Queensland and Australian governments, donors, funding partners and audiences, and acknowledged Queensland Ballet’s artistic and operational teams for their contribution through a demanding period.
“I want to recognise the resilience, professionalism and dedication of the entire Queensland Ballet team throughout a year of significant change.”
So, what about the dancing? Plenty to come as Queensland Ballet unveils its ambitious 2027 season today (October 6), the same day the company marks its annual Giving Day with a major fundraising drive to support its artists, productions and programs across Queensland.
This is the first time Queensland Ballet’s annual season launch and Giving Day are on the same day – dubbed Queensland Ballet Day – celebrating both the company’s artistic future and the community of audiences, donors, partners and supporters who make its work possible.
The 2027 season will take Queensland Ballet beyond its Brisbane home and into communities across the state, bringing together major productions, regional partnerships, family works and some of ballet’s most celebrated repertoire. The program reflects a broader ambition for QB: that the company’s artistic growth is matched by a growing connection with the people and communities it represents. All within a strict budget, of course.
This second season under artistic director Ivan Gil-Ortega will feature the Australian premiere of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Doña Perón: The Story of Evita; the return of Leo Mujić’s visceral Hamlet following its acclaimed 2026 season; audience favourite Derek Deane’s Strictly Gershwin, reimagined for QPAC’s Glasshouse Theatre; a new My First Ballet production of The Little Prince; the lavish new production of The Nutcracker, with narration by award-winning actor David Wenham; and Icons, a spectacular showcase celebrating some of the greatest works from the classical ballet canon, alongside recent audience favourites.
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Brisbane audiences will also be treated to Elegantly Wasted, a ballet set to the reimagined songs of INXS, which was met with standing ovations and excellent reviews following its premiere on the Gold Coast earlier this year. Not bad for a company battling to keep costs down.
The 2027 season follows a promising first season from Gil-Ortega, in which Queensland Ballet embraced works of extraordinary scale and artistic range, from Christian Spuck’s monumental Messa da Requiem to contemporary works set to the music of Sia and INXS, alongside the creation of a lavish new production of The Nutcracker.
‘In 2027, we are quite literally sharing the stage, taking the dancers and productions to more Queensland communities’
From what I’ve heard Derek Deane’s Nutcracker (In QPAC’s Glasshouse Theatre, December 9-19) is going to be spectacular and very special. More on that in the coming weeks.
“At Queensland Ballet, we believe the arts are essential to the human experience,” Ivan Gil-Ortega says. “They move people, bring communities together and help shape a stronger future.
“In 2027, we are quite literally sharing the stage, taking the dancers and productions to more Queensland communities, opening our doors to new audiences and collaborating with partners across the state. Queensland is our home, and Queensland Ballet should belong to every Queenslander, whether they live in Brisbane, on the Gold Coast or in one of our regional communities.
“We are delighted to partner with Toowoomba, Stanthorpe, Redlands and Bundaberg councils to bring ballet closer to audiences and create more opportunities for communities to experience the artistry of the dancers. That is the Queensland Ballet we are building.”
Today’s season announcement coincides with QB’s annual Giving Day, with the company calling on its community to help support the future of ballet in Queensland.
For 12 hours, from 9am to 9pm today, October 6, every donation made to Queensland Ballet will be quadrupled by a group of visionary match donors. A $10 donation becomes $40, $100 becomes $400 and $1000 becomes $4000.
Also, proceeds from a special Queensland Ballet costume sale at Thomas Dixon Centre today will contribute to the fundraising total.
Queensland Ballet executive director Dilshani Weerasinghe says bringing the season launch and Giving Day together recognised the vital role audiences and supporters play in the life of the company.
“Every ticket purchased, every young dancer enrolled in our academy, every community program attended and every donation made helps Queensland Ballet continue to create extraordinary work and share ballet with communities across the state,” she says.
“We are inviting Queenslanders to stand side by side with our dancers and our entire Queensland Ballet community as we celebrate what comes next and help make that future possible.”
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