N.S. work-to-rule means empty seats, cancelled shows for arts community

December is usually one of the busiest times of the year for Heather and Darryl Taylor and their collection of 200 wooden marionettes.

For the past 30 years, the couple and their hand-crafted puppets have brought to life stories on stages in schools across the province.

But this year, the contract dispute between teachers and the province has meant that their marionettes are spending more time boxed up than not.

A string of the Maritime Marionettes' performances have been postponed due to work-to-rule.

Other performances they booked have been cancelled, meaning the Taylors might have to scramble to find work.

'We'll lose half our income if this lasts all month'

Like many Nova Scotians, the Taylors find themselves in new territory with work-to-rule.

"We're just catching up with everybody this morning," Heather Taylor said from Truro on Tuesday. "We've never dealt with this before."

• What work-to-rule means for students and teachers

Schools have cancelled all extra curricular activities, which means programming such as marionette shows and puppet workshops are a no-go.

With the holidays approaching, now the puppeteers are left wondering how they'll pay their bills as they get paid post-performance.

While Taylor is quite certain they'll be able to recoup their losses with rescheduled performances once the contract dispute is over, she's still concerned.

"This is still work we will have, it's just when will it take place and what do we do for revenue in the meantime," she said. "It makes it hard to pay the bills."

December is one of their highest paying months, and Taylor imagines she and her husband stand to lose approximately $5,000 in revenue. More, if the contract dispute continues into next year.

"If we start January with this still happening, I will be very worried," she said."I hope that it doesn't go long because it's just very hard on everyone."

Other arts performances hurt

The contract dispute has meant cancellationsand empty seats for other school theatrical performances, such as Eastern Front Theatre's Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Artistic producer Jeremy Webb said one school had booked the entire Neptune Theatre for a performance on Dec. 14. He's now trying to refill those 180 seats.

"We had invoiced them, but of course, will likely not be chasing that invoice," said Webb, who says he stands "100 per cent behind the teachers."

The production also lost several performances that were to supposed to happen at schools.

Webb estimatedthat amounts to up to a $7,000 loss of revenue, which he called significant.

"It's a shame for the students and a shame for the arts community as well," he said.

More empty seats

Heidi MacPhee, spokesperson for Symphony Nova Scotia, says several schools have also cancelled leading up to a matinee performance of The Nutcrackerand she expects more will cancel as the show's date approaches.

This year, original reservations from schools had filled the show to capacity.

"We're obviously disappointed, because we know how much the students enjoy the show every year but of course we understand the reasons why," she said.

MacPhee said Symphony Nova Scotia will lose some expected revenue on the show. However, she said these student shows are deeply discountedand are not revenue generators.

"For us, these concerts are more about connecting with local students and our community."

Symphony Nova Scotia also has groups of private schools, daycares, and home schooled studentsattending its Nutcrackermatinee, so it will go ahead with the performance.