When I started my internship at The Dallas Morning News, I compiled a story idea list. At the top of the list was a story about the Texas Ballet Theater’s invitation to perform at the China Shanghai International Arts Festival on Oct. 23. Originally, I had planned to write a story about the trip itself, but then soon found out that the dance company’s trip might be jeopardized. The story ended up having more of a news peg to it, the focus being that the company needs to raise $75,000 by next Wednesday or it can’t go to China.
The story served as a reminder that, despite how much pre-reporting you do, stories have legs and will often run in different, unexpected directions. Good thing I had my running shoes on.
Click here to read the story:
Texas Ballet Theater has spent two years preparing for its trip to the China Shanghai International Arts Festival, where the troupe’s dancers are scheduled to perform a full-length production of Cleopatra on Oct. 29 and Oct. 30.
But the trip is in jeopardy. According to the dance company, leaders of the Chinese arts festival have told them throughout the past few months that certain costs cannot be covered at this point.
Now the troupe is scrambling to raise a minimum of $75,000 for the trip, and it has only until Wednesday to do so.
Word on the Street 