Carolina ballet, small arts groups to share stage

Raleigh, N.C. — Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker met Friday with small arts groups to discuss the implications of the Carolina Ballet moving half its upcoming performances from the Memorial Auditorium to the Progress Energy Center’s Fletcher Opera Theater.

Meeker said the ballet’s show times bumped some smaller groups from the theater’s schedule. Both sides have rearranged their dates so everyone can share the spotlight, he said.

Meeker described small arts groups, such as the Raleigh Chamber Music Guild and Capital Opera Raleigh, as being “very important to the fabric of our community.”

“Just because someone has 200 patrons coming doesn’t mean they should be disregarded entirely compared to someone who has 2,000,” Meeker said.

A spokesperson for the Carolina Ballet said although they have played Memorial Auditorium recently, they have performed at the Fletcher Theater in the past.