Washington Ballet Cancels 'Nutcracker' Run

Kallas said the dancers are still willing to work with management on reaching a pact. "The dancers continue to be prepared to go to the table at any time to work this out," she said.

The decision to cancel the remaining week of performances was "devastating," Webre said in an interview. "I'm certainly deeply saddened that we can't share this production with all the ticket buyers," he said, adding that he felt bad for the dancers and the nearly 300 children involved in the production. And, he said, "I'm highly concerned about the effect this will have on the season going forward."

The dancers were to begin rehearsals Jan. 3 for their next production, "The Bach/Beatles Project," slated to open a five-day run at the Kennedy Center on Feb. 1. That schedule is now in doubt, Palmquist said.

"The dancers are still on strike," he said, "so we have no assurances that they would even be available for rehearsals. We are currently evaluating the effect of having to cancel 'The Nutcracker' on our ability to make the rest of the season happen."

"It's too soon for us to decide the next step," said Kendall. "We are going to go back to the drawing board and see what we can piece together for the rest of the year. It will probably be a reconfigured season."

The dancers' union laid the blame for the "Nutcracker" debacle at management's doorstep. "The company appears to me to be prepared to close down," Kallas said. "It could have been avoided if they had been serious about negotiations, but they were only serious about stalling negotiations."

She added: "We wanted to have negotiations all last week and they said no, their attorney wasn't available. They have not made this a priority. The dancers saw that this would take forever, and they keep getting injured. At some point you have to say no."

Kallas said the union is asking for some provisions that go beyond what it has put into contracts with other companies because of what it sees as a pattern of management retaliation against the dancers. AGMA filed an unfair labor practice charge against the ballet in the spring, asserting that it had discriminated against two dancers for their union activities. The ballet settled with the two dancers before the complaint was ruled on by a judge, but Kallas says the ballet continues to retaliate against dancers who have spoken up about labor issues.

"Ever since they signed the petition [last December] saying that they wanted AGMA representation, the dancers have been singled out and pressured," Kallas said.

Webre denied he has retaliated against any dancer. "I think it's disingenuous," he said. "It doesn't ring true, and it doesn't seem to reflect in fact what happens in the studio. Our work together has been significantly warm and respectful and professional and close.

"The whole concept of using union activity as any sort of criteria for non-renewal of contracts or any other matter is completely anathema to me," he added. "It's never been a part of my thinking. I look forward to directing a healthful AGMA company."

For the dancers, the disappointment was acute. "I'm kind of speechless," said Elizabeth Gaither. "I just didn't think it would come to this. . . . I feel that what we're asking for is what other working people have, and why don't we deserve the same rights? We're always last on the list."

"It's not about money," agreed dancer Alvaro Palau. "It's the feeling of being appreciated. We don't want money for this contract. We want safety and job security and a safe environment, and that's all we ask for."