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Published on December 14, 2024
Nevada Ballet Theatre's 'The Nutcracker' to Proceed Without Live Orchestra Amidst Union Negotiation DeadlockSource: Google Street View

The Nevada Ballet Theatre is setting the stage for "The Nutcracker," a beloved holiday classic, but this year's festivities will unfold without the harmonious blend of live strings and winds. An impasse over negotiations with the Musicians Union of Las Vegas has forced the ballet to pivot to pre-recorded music, much to the dismay of traditionalists who cherish the live orchestral experience. This hiccup means that Tchaikovsky's timeless score will be played not by a live orchestra but through speakers—a case of Déjà vu for those who recall similar instances between 2008-2011 and in 2019, when Nevada Ballet Theatre faced funding shortfalls, as reported by FOX5 Vegas.

It seems the devil is in the details—or rather the recordings. According to FOX5 Vegas, Nevada Ballet Theatre's artistic director Roy Kaiser emphasized the importance of being able to share their content online, "Our content is all about what we do. And when we have an orchestra playing for us, or if we have four musicians on the stage, or a solo piano, that’s part of the experience and we want to share that along with the dance and what the company is performing." But due to limitations set by the national union, NBT couldn't reach an agreement in time for the season premiere, leaving them to perform without a live orchestra.

In the throes of these negotiations, the Musicians Union of Las Vegas posted a statement addressing the snag, stating, "Under the terms of the proposed CBA, Nevada Ballet Theatre (NBT) is permitted to use electronic media locally for promotional purposes," as revealed by FOX5 Vegas. The complicated dispute involves collective bargaining agreement language, where electronic media usage seems to have become a significant sticking point, halting the employment of live musicians for the forthcoming performances.

Referring to the same dispute and adding further complexity, the Musicians Union is reportedly puzzled by Nevada Ballet Theatre’s reluctance to come to terms, considering similar language exists in its agreement with the Las Vegas Philharmonic. A lawyer for Nevada Ballet Theatre expressed frustration with this impasse, saying the union's stance is "mind boggling and extremely unfair," as reported by Las Vegas Review-Journal. While the two parties allegedly had agreed on a collective bargaining agreement moving forward, the execution remains at an impasse.

The fallout from these strained negotiations has been far-reaching, with the debate naturally spilling over onto social media. Voices from both sides have engaged in public discourse, with the Las Vegas Philharmonic’s Orchestral Committee Chair urging supporters to act, and musicians sharing links to financial reports to illustrate NBT's budget surplus and salary structure. This is according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, which paints a picture of two parties locked in an awkward dance that's far removed from the grace expected of the ballet's holiday showcase.