Kage says he was forced out

When the departure of the Ballet West's artistic director was announced in April, it was described by board officials as decision by Jonas Kage to "pursue other opportunities."

On Friday, Kage said he was asked to resign — otherwise his contract would be terminated.

However, Carol Carter, the chairwoman of Ballet West's Board of Trustees, said Friday that Kage wasn't asked to step down as artistic director.

"He asked us if we would accept his resignation," she said. "And we did."

The falling out, according to Kage, hinges on the results of an evaluation conducted by the Board of Trustees, headed by Carter.

The evaluation tapped the feelings of the company and administrative staff.

"They were going to evaluate the leadership of Ballet West," said Kage. "I thought it was a good idea. That way we could look and see the company's weakness and use it to improve."

When the results were turned in, the board notified Kage to attend a board meeting on April 25.

"Carol, who is the outgoing chair, and Dan Miller, the incoming chair, told me that they had looked at the survey and said, 'You have come out very weak. The results were not favorable to you.'

"So the board, after some discussion, decided to terminate my contract."

The board, said Kage, gave him the option to resign.

"I had three hours to decide because the board wanted to go public with the information," Kage said. "They had told me they had no confidence in my leadership. After thinking it over, I called back and told them I'd take the resigning scenario."

Kage hoped the company would be conducting annual evaluations to let him know if there was need for improvements.

"But I haven't had an evaluation in three years," he said. "There was no warning or indication that anything was wrong before they called for my resignation."

Carter said money wasn't an issue, although money problems have plagued the company, forcing Ballet West to drop a program of eight performances, a triple bill program from the season.

Still, Carter said the company is stable.

"We have completed the first year in our financial recovery program," said Carter by phone from California. "And we are on track. This is the first time in three years the company has ended a season in the black."

While there was a labor dispute during the dancers' contract negotiations last season, the talks ended successfully. And the dancers appeared less anxious throughout the current season.