ABT Fan

Yes, I’m aware. That’s partly why I said the worst is yet to come. I can’t imagine a new AD walking into this mess. I’d think the job would look a little (to say the least) less appealing now.

Why is it whenever i don’t check this site for a day or two, I come back to some catastrophic news?! I’m sick to my stomach over this. How can these men behave this way?! I can’t fathom Ramasar and Catazaro returning now, whether they quit or “resign” or are outright fired to help restore some good faith by the company. And who would want to dance with them anyway? Even if NYCB isn’t found legally liable, their reputation is severly damaged, far more so than following the Martins situation. This is disgusting and disgraceful. The worst is yet to come I fear.

Yes, ditto!!

From Alastair Macaulay's Instagram:

Ferri is returning as a guest artist. Lendorf will NOT be dancing. Here's the press release: https://www.abt.org/casting-announced-for-abt-2018-fall-season/

The casting is dribbing out. When I wrote my post, Other Dances wasn't cast yet. I'm glad Lane/Cornejo got at least one. I'm guessing she'll get the new Lang piece, as she's been in her work before. But, I doubt she'll be in the Dorrance one going by previous casting.

Casting is up! Not for everything though: premieres, Other Dancers, AfterRite... Disappointed Lane didn't get a Symphonie Concertante. Surprised Abrera did. Glad Royal and Forster were given debuts in Fancy Free. I think they'll both be great. Also, Shayer was not given Songs of Bukovina w/ Boylston, even though he stepped in last year to replace Lendorf. She's paired with Hoven instead. Speaking of, no Lendorf on the schedule yet. https://www.abt.org/performances/master-calendar/

Regarding codes of conduct, every company I've ever worked at (non-union companies) has had a code of conduct for all of its employees. This governs how you behave in and outside of the workplace. Where I presently work, a top executive was fired for breaching our code of conduct. My handbook says that the company will not tolerate sexual harassment, discrimination or offensive behavior of any kind. Many types of behavior can fall under the "offensive behavior of any kind" part. I don't know if AGMA or other unions have a similar code of conduct, but in the business world this is pretty standard.

Heartbreaking. He was the reason I came to NYC as a young dancer and studied at the Taylor school. I think he's the last modern great to go (unless I'm forgetting someone).

I had already forgotten about the “without pay” part. I wonder if they will lose their benefits during the suspension as well.

Then that’s....I don’t even know what to call that. I know Carousel is closing soon, but I wonder if this will trickle down and if Ramasar will be replaced/removed till it does.

Are we to assume that the three guys sent inappropriate communications to the same person, the complainant?

The Times says that the accusation came from someone outside of NYCB. You'd be surprised how many people still do this.

What in the world?? According to the Times, Finlay refused to discuss the matter with NYCB management (?!) and instead just resigned last week. He's already been removed from their website. And, I don't understand why the other two would be suspended without pay till next year. If what they did was so bad, why weren't they fired? I'm not advocating for them to be fired, I'm just wondering what's the point of the suspension. I have a feeling they'll both resign (or "retire") and not return. This is devastating in so many ways. Added: there's no way any of these three will by hired by ABT.

Wow, thank you for posting the job description. So much to think about, but two things stood out to me: One, I appreciate that championing "diversity" in terms of the school and the company was mentioned several times throughout. And, in the "Position" section, it's mentioned that the AD may possibly need to "supervise and recruit one or more deputy AD's". Hmmmmmm. I think it's a brilliant idea for them to finally create a #2 position (or a team of #2's) and it would also "solve" the next succession issue, at least temporarily if an abrupt departure should befall the company again. If no one from the interim team is hired as the AD, perhaps one or all of them could take on a deputy role. Maybe this wording leaves open the possibility of keeping the entire interim team in a formal managerial capacity of some sort, with more say and responsibility in terms of hiring/casting/etc than a traditional ballet master.

This pas, along with the gorgeous music, is one of the most beautiful duets I've ever seen by any choreographer. It's my favorite part of that ballet.

This was mentioned on the ABT thread, I believe, but he recently had knee surgery; in July, I think, I can't recall. He posted on his Instagram about it.

Interesting. Is ABT next?

Casting is now out (and before their Fall season....). Interestingly, Murphy/Whiteside are given only 1 performance (maybe due to their own schedules). Also, Abrera's partner for two performances is TBA. Hammoudi was paired with her last year. Would love to see Royal get it. Debuts for Forster/Shevchenko (especially thrilled for Forster). I was really expecting to see a debut for either Brandt or Trenary as Clara this year. Edited to add: it's also telling, in addition to not casting Hammoudi, Gorak also hasn't been cast as The Prince (he has also danced this part before, though not last year). https://www.abt.org/events/the-nutcracker/

Though, last year they released casting in August before the company returned from their break.

I think 70 is too old to be President and there have certainly been numerous news articles citing similar opinions. However, a President can only be President for 8 years (though it's arguably the hardest job on the planet), while the head of NYCB (or a similar institution) would hopefully and probably be in charge much longer, making their age a bigger factor.

Yes. Which is why I mentioned he'd have to break his contract if it were for longer than a year. He is mentioned further up thread by a few of us.

Geez, I forgot about Lopez. Another terrific choice.

I think Woetzel is a terrific candidate, but this is an issue of bad timing. I'd be stunned if he accepted the leadership at NYCB and left Julliard after only one year. Regardless of what type of contract he has with Julliard, say it's only for one year, would they really be cool if he left after that? (Unless his term is disastrous, which I highly doubt would be, and they chose not to renew his contract.) Or, worse, if he broke his contract? From all of the names I can come up, which isn't as many nor as well-informed as what others have thought of, he seems to be the most qualified to lead NYCB. But, he strikes me as a very intelligent person and I can't imagine he'd want to burn bridges with Julliard. I can't think of a way for this to happen without doing so. Granted, I'm not privy to a lot of information behind the scenes (nor are most of us), but still. If the need for a successor had happened a year or two earlier, it would be a no-brainer I think. Steifel is better suited to lead ABT someday, but I think that day is far in the future (I don't think McKenzie is going anywhere anytime soon).

This exchange struck me too. I wonder who "they" are in the "they won’t let me do it" remark by Peck. The others on the interim team? Since he is the only one still performing on the interim team, I wonder how his casting gets decided, not to mention anyone else. (A rhetorical question....) Also interesting is the fact that Peck "hopes" to be involved with choosing the next leader and deciding on what that job description will be, as opposed to already being involved or knowing that his opinion will be sought. I wonder if the rest of the interim team is also in the dark. Shouldn't the interim team be part of that decision-making process?