It appears the show will go on for Citie Ballet, the local company's season was in jeopardy when their only male dancer Mingyi Liang had is temporary foreign worker application denied earlier this month.
For the last two years, Mingyi left his home in China to spend eight months in Edmonton dancing for Citie Ballet.
The decision sent artistic director Francois Chevennement into a frantic search for a replacement. Seeing how there are no male dancers currently on the market, Citie Ballet was forced to contemplate shutting down the company.
After their story appeared on CTV News, the government contacted the company to say they would look into their labour market opinion request.
“I think you made a good impact on Service Canada,” Citie Ballet Artistic Director Francois Chevennement said.
A few days later that document was approved and they were given the green light for Mingyi to make his return to Canada.
There are still a few hurdles, Mingyi needs to secure a work visa and finalize immigration papers but the process is moving ahead.
“That could take two, three, four, six, or eight weeks, it will all depend on Immigration Canada and China,” Chevennement said.
Specifically, the company says Mingyi still needs a visa to leave China.
The change has eased fears for the company, especially for Mingyi’s dance partner, Kayley Winfield.
“It was kind of heartbreaking for me to think about having a season without him,” Winfield said.
In the interim, a local doctor is filling in for the ballet until Mingyi returns.
With files from Sarah Richter
