The floods in Queensland and NSW have been devastating for the Karen Ireland Dance Centre in Lismore, which has been totally ruined. The two-level building is owned by Ireland and she has been teaching on the site for 20 years. At its peak the river came up to 30 cm from the ceiling (the photo was taken when the water was receding).
The school is appealing for help to rebuild and has started a gofundme page in hope of raising enough money to help fund a new studio space, plus replace destroyed ballet equipment. "We understand it is a trying time," they say, "but please help if you can". If you would like to donate, go here.
In Brisbane, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, which is right beside the Brisbane River, is flooded and all performances cancelled until at least the end of the week, including Frozen the Musical. While the theatres have been spared, the underground carpark and basement, along with stored equipment, have been submerged.
The Queensland Ballet was about to head off on a regional tour when the floods hit, and was able to proceed with its season of Giselle at the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba. The company's Beesley St studios are beside the river, and the water came right up to the door. Leaks and power-outages forced the dancers to move rehearsals to the Queensland Academy headquarters in Kelvin Grove. The company has now returned to Beesley St and is even hosting a neighbouring dance school, YCV Dance, which has major flood damage.
The photos above are of the Karen Ireland Dance Centre. Below is the Qld Ballet studios and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
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