What Happened

Over Memorial Day Weekend — at the very start of our new season — Centennial State Ballet experienced a heartbreaking and destabilizing loss.

Two individuals who were serving on our Board of Directors — gained unauthorized entry to the CSB campus and allowed entry and access to our facilities by the previously released Executive Artistic Director — the unauthorized removal of more than 90% of the organization's costumes, many scenic elements, props, original artwork, office equipment, and other equipment used in training were taken by these individuals with no forewarning.

These weren’t just tools of the trade. They were part of the heart of our organization — lovingly handmade, donated, and preserved over years of performances. Their disappearance is a deep loss not only of property, but of legacy and trust.

Most painful of all: the individuals responsible were trusted to protect what they harmed. As board members, they had a fiduciary and ethical duty to serve our mission, safeguard our young dancers, and support the families who put their trust in us. That duty was broken — and it broke our hearts.

Who This Hurts Most

At the center of this crisis are our dancers — children and teens who give their time, discipline, and heart to ballet.

Our studio has always been a second home to them. A place where they grow artistically and personally, where they are supported and safe. Now, they face an empty studio and a disrupted season. Costumes they dreamed of wearing are gone. The resources they depend on — taken without warning.

Whether this was a child's final season before graduating or their first time stepping into the spotlight, they did not deserve this loss. But with your help, they will not carry it alone.

For 13 seasons, Centennial State Ballet has served Longmont, Colorado and the surrounding region as a nonprofit dedicated to making classical ballet training and performance opportunities accessible to all.

We’ve provided outreach in schools, staged original productions, and welcomed dancers of all backgrounds into a community built on excellence, inclusion, and joy. What we’ve built is not just a program — it’s a legacy. And it must be protected.

Now more than ever, we are calling on our extended community — across Colorado and the nation — to stand with us.

Why We Need Your Help

We are facing over $15,000 of direct and immediate loss, then future damages upwards of $50,000 and maybe more, that have yet to be calculated. With your support, we will:

✅ Replace the 90% of costumes and scenic pieces that were taken and ️rebuild our studio infrastructure and daily operations

️✅ Ensure this season’s performances can go on for our dancers and audience

⚖️ Pursue legal recourse (we are searching for pro-bono or contingency-based counsel first)

Your gift will help us restore not just what was lost — but the sense of safety and inspiration our dancers depend on.

Strengthening Our Organization — Now and for the Future

Centennial State Ballet has already taken major steps to protect itself and rebuild stronger than ever. Since the departure of the former staff member nearly two years ago, we’ve worked hard to improve transparency, strengthen governance, and reinforce accountability.

But this moment calls for even more — and we are answering that call.

Here’s what we’ve already done:

✅ Annual Code of Ethics for Board Members — All directors will reaffirm fiduciary duties and disclosure requirements each year.

✅ Strict Conflict of Interest Policy — Any board member with even the appearance of a conflict of interest will be asked to resign or be removed.

✅ Whistleblower Protections Policy — A formal, safe, and confidential way for anyone to report misconduct or concerns.

✅ Transparent Financial Oversight — We maintain active insurance, clear donor tracking, and responsible budgeting.

And here’s what we’re adding next:

✅ Asset Protection Measures — We’ve enhanced physical security, implemented digital inventory tracking, and increased access controls.

✅ Board Vetting & Oversight — A new Board Vetting Committee ensures incoming members align with our mission and ethics.

✅ Governance & Ethics Training — Annual education for board, staff, and key volunteers to spot and stop red flags early.

✅ Crisis Preparedness Plan — A clear, proactive protocol for emergency response and organizational continuity.

We are not just responding. We are transforming — into a more secure, resilient, and responsible organization.

Why This Matters — To All of Us

This story is about more than a ballet company. It’s about what happens when trust is betrayed — and how communities come together to rebuild it.

This is a call to protect the spaces where children feel safe, where creativity is nurtured, and where integrity still matters. When the arts are harmed, we all lose something. But when we come together, we gain something even more powerful — solidarity, healing, and strength.

How You Can Help:

✅ Donate — every gift makes a difference

✅ Refer — legal council that is willing to work pro bono or on a contingency basis

✅ Share this campaign — with friends, family, and your social networks

❤️ Stand with us — to defend the arts, protect young dancers, and rebuild our future together

This loss may have shaken us. But with your help, it will not define us. Together, we will rise — stronger, safer, and more united than ever before.