Ballet West has posted operating deficits for the past three seasons, with a shorfall of $320,000 in 2003-04. Although ticket sales and donations have risen slightly, and the company's reputation was boosted by critical acclaim from performances at the Edinburgh International Festival, the budget has suffered from the rising costs of health insurance, workers' compensation, and live orchestras.

According to Ballet West executive director Jhann Jacobs, programs such as the fall repertory, which typically involve three separate works performed together, are expensive to produce. Each ballet creates costs for lighting, sets, acquisitions, and choreographers. In addition, Ballet West's fall repertory programs do not typically draw a large audience.

Full-length ballets, such as this month's Cinderella and next season's new production of Romeo and Juliet have fewer expenses, as well as selling more tickets and being easier to market.

In 2005-06, the company's season will begin with The Nutcracker, a tactic that many other companies, including the New York City Ballet, use. The company is planning to move its fund-raising events to coincide with the popular Christmas production.

Board chair Carol Carter told the paper that with these budget cuts in place, the company needs 24 months to stabilize financially; officials hope to eventually resume the full season schedule.

Ballet West's capital campaign for a new building will not be affected by the cuts, and will continue as planned. "It's like any business," Carter said. "Success in one department does not relieve the need to balance the budget in another area. The building is needed for the future of the company, but we have to operate in the black."