The Joffrey Ballet Renews Contract with Dancers Union AGMA

The Board of Directors of The Joffrey Ballet is pleased to announce that a new five-year contract for its company of 41 dancers has been approved, effective immediately through the 2020-2021 Season. The announcement was made by The Joffrey Ballet's Executive Director Greg Cameron and follows negotiations with the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), the union representing the dancers.

"We're thrilled to have reached a timely and fair agreement with AGMA that ensures continued growth and success for The Joffrey Ballet's company," said Cameron. "As one of the nation's leading ballet companies, we are deeply committed to our artists and have worked collaboratively with our dancers to ensure that rehearsal and performance environments remain positive and allow for the highest level of artistry. We're delighted to take this successful first step in our 2016-2017 season and look forward to working with AGMA's new National Executive Director Leonard Egert in the years to come."

"The Joffrey Ballet nurtures a strong culture of trust and respect for its company members," added Joffrey dancer and AGMA representative April Daly. "Through Ashley Wheater and Greg Cameron's exceptional leadership, Joffrey's company continues to grow and remain at the forefront of creativity and innovation. The union agreement is critical to our future and enables our dancers to effectively fulfill The Joffrey Ballet's mission of artistic excellence. We're very pleased with this agreement and look forward to growing even stronger in the next five years."

The Joffrey Ballet and AGMA began negotiations early and used a collaborative and problem-solving approach with the assistance of The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The new five-year contract includes improvements to the dancer's pay and changes to work regulations to provide greater efficiencies within and for The Joffrey Ballet's company.

The Joffrey Ballet's 2016-2017 Season will open with Krzysztof Pastor's critically acclaimed Romeo & Juliet, October 13-23, 2016, followed by the highly-anticipated world premiere of Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon's The Nutcracker, December 10-30, 2016. For its winter engagement, The Joffrey Ballet presents Game Changers, a mixed repertoire program featuring the Chicago Premiere of Year of the Rabbit by Justin Peck, Fool's Paradise by Christopher Wheeldon, and INFRA by Wayne McGregor - February 15-26, 2017. Global Visionaries, a spring mixed repertoire program, concludes the season with a world premiere by Alexander Ekman (untitled), the Chicago premiere of The Miraculous Mandarin by Yuri Possokhov, and the return of Mammatus by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, April 26-May 7, 2017.

Classically trained to the highest standards, The Joffrey Ballet expresses a unique, inclusive perspective on dance, proudly reflecting the diversity of America with its company, audiences, and repertoire which includes major story ballets, reconstructions of masterpieces and contemporary works.

The company's commitment to accessibility is met through an extensive touring schedule, an innovative and highly effective education program including the much lauded Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, Community Engagement programs and collaborations with myriad other visual and performing arts organizations.

Founded by visionary teacher Robert Joffrey in 1956, guided by celebrated choreographer Gerald Arpino from 1988 until 2007, The Joffrey Ballet continues to thrive under internationally renowned Artistic Director Ashley Wheater and Executive Director Greg Cameron.

For more information on The Joffrey Ballet and its programs, visit joffrey.org.

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