More fallout over Kage's dismissal

Since Jonas Kage's dismissal three weeks ago as artistic director of Ballet West, the company's patrons and employees have begun to question the executive board's decision.

Meanwhile, a number of next season's scheduled productions appear to be in jeopardy as a result of Kage's departure.

"It doesn't make sense," said patron Marilyn Neilson, expressing concern and exasperation at Kage being let go. "Why is this travesty happening?"

Three weeks ago Kage was summoned by the Ballet West executive board and given a choice of being fired or resigning, based on the results of an Executive Leadership Evaluation conducted by the Ralston Consulting Group, an independent firm. Kage chose to resign.

Kage immediately asked to see the evaluation but was not given a copy until Tuesday.

"At first glance the evaluation was very misleading," said Kage Tuesday evening. "My lawyer and I will be looking at it more closely tonight."

Carol Carter, Ballet West's executive board chairwoman, said Tuesday it took time to give Kage the evaluation because it was sealed, and approval of the entire board was necessary to give it to Kage. "When Jonas made the requests, I was out of town," Carter said. "When I was contacted, I had to, in turn, contact 30-plus members via phone and e-mail to get their approval.

"In order for them to approve the release of the results, they had to read the evaluation and then get back to me. Consequently, we missed his desired deadline."

Annie Van Alstyne, Ballet West's administrative manager, said that due to Kage's dismissal, next season's schedule may be in trouble. "They were originally going to perform Jonas' 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'Giselle,' but they changed the program and are bringing back the older versions of the ballets so they won't have to pay Jonas."

Also, the season's final production, "Evening of Ballets," was to feature Hans van Manen's "Polish Pieces" and Richard Tanner's "Ancient Airs and Dances." Van Alstyne said both choreographers have withdrawn their permission for the company to perform those works.

"So in a sense, the company is selling a season that doesn't exist."

The company's executive director, Johann Jacobs, said Tuesday that he hasn't heard from van Manen but says Tanner did ask that his work not be presented. "(Tanner) said that until there is some stability at Ballet West, he would prefer not to have his work performed."