Balletwannabe

Another interview about her body (part 1)

https://youtu.be/KIZhwPvtQj4

From an interview 7 years ago:

"When I was 12, they discovered that I had scoliosis. I wore a brace for about five years. I only took it off to dance and to bathe. Dancing was my release. I became aware of my weaknesses and of my strengths both physically and emotionally. I was well into my professional career when I was first criticized for being too thin, too angular and crooked. It was a shock after I had reached that pinnacle. I have a body where, if I drop a few pounds, it shows a lot. I wasn't trying to lose weight, but when you work hard during the season, you do. I felt defenseless. Even now, it can still feel harsh when a critic remarks on my “physicality" as a flaw in my dancing, because of all the effort I put into my body. It's my own personal house of cards, a serious work of art that I've spent decades building. It's truly not something I could or would ever change. Although a negative criticism will certainly sting, I don't dwell on it. I try to remind myself that nobody has a perfect body and no dancer is a perfect dancer. True beauty lies within each of us to create for ourselves the best we can with what we have been given."

Well, I'm comparing her muscles to myself ;)  Pretty impressive to me!  Her arms and abs specifically.

I've been skinny shamed my whole life, despite being healthy.  I've been called "bag of bones".  So, I feel for Wendy when the public calls pictures of her body "horrible".

I don't think she should be ashamed of her body any more than an obese woman should be ashamed.  She's insanely muscular.  I think she's beautiful.  

I don't think she's trying to send a message.  Other than she's happy with her body.  Good for her.  

http://observer.com/2018/02/nyc-ballet-pulls-off-winter-season-but-what-next-without-peter-martins/

Video "not available"

The old classics aren't old to those who have never experienced them.  I just discovered ballet a few years ago and fell in love.  I don't need new flashy works.  It's going to take me a lifetime to see all of the "old" works.  It saddens me that dance is not taught in public school as part of the arts.  If people only knew how beautiful ballet is... shows would sell out like Broadway shows.

I wonder if she would be happier as an artist if she had started in a Corp and gained the experience of working as just one of the group.  I'm not judging her character when I say this, but I don't think she knows how to not be in the spotlight.  Constant change and new opportunities is what she clearly craves. 

Thanks for sharing.

Alleged misconduct.  Although I'm not quite sure what we're even discussing anymore.  The annonymous claims?  Or the whole organizations (alleged) guilt by association?

2500 kids auditioned for SAB this year.  I don't think they're having any problem moving on. 

1 hour ago, its the mom said:

If there were those who were complicit by looking the other way, I would not trust them for the future either.  They could be looking the other way about many things or simply other people.  This is what bothers me.  I agree with abatt's post above that an investigation needs to be done for the safety of all.

I didn't say I didn't want an investigation; but there's zero evidence to suggest that kids are somehow in danger.  

13 minutes ago, abatt said:

Let's assume for a second that Martins is guilty of everything he is accused of.  Usually people who are abusive at work are enabled by others who have looked the other way and stayed silent. If all the charges are true, it's not enough that Martins  is gone.  There has to be a top to bottom investigation and accounting of who else at SAB or NYCB was an enabler, and what actions have to be taken with regard to those individuals.

I'm only one parent and this is only my personal opinion, but I think it's enough that Martins is gone.  My daughter auditioned at SAB this year and I wouldn't think twice about sending her.  I would however be concerned if he were still there.   Other parents may feel differently.

I guess art is indeed subjective because I loved Cortege Hongrois and thought it went by quickly; so entertaining!  

Loved everything this afternoon.  My only critique is I felt like there was a lack of chemistry between Finley and the muses.  Though individually they were lovely. 

I had high hopes seeing Maria K. for the first time and I was not disappointed. 

I'm enjoying all of these reviews!  Will be going to today's matinee, looking forward to it even more now.  

Kirkland and Tallchief.

36 minutes ago, California said:

Interestingly, this turned up on a Google search -- quite a bit of detail about apprentices from SAB:

"Apprentices are paid the equivalent of a first-year corps member’s salary, which is prorated according to the number of performances danced each week." But what is the pro-ration based on? Is it assumed that all corps members do X number of performances each week?

https://sab.org/winterterm/career_planning/nycb_apprentice_program.php

Thank you, that's quite detailed!  I hadn't seen that page before.

Does anyone know how much apprentices get paid? 

1 minute ago, abatt said:

I don't agree.  If she had written "I believe your are siding with an abuser" or "in my opinion you are siding with an abuser",  it would have been clear that she was stating her opinion.  However, the words that she wrote state as a fact that Martins is an abuser.  The exact words used matter, especially when those words are being published to a wide audience in a magazine.

Ok, now I'm confused.  I'm not sure I understand what you're disagreeing with.  Could you clarify?

If she had stated "in my opinion..." I wouldn't have said a word.  

40 minutes ago, Helene said:

Not G-d, but a definition by the US government to define what can be pursued as a labor matter. So the EEOC definition is more than pertinent, since this entire thread is about a labor matter.

 

Feelings are one thing.  Actions are another.  That is the distinction she's making.

"You are siding with an abuser" is an opinion, not a fact.  That's all I'm saying.  I'm not trying to discredit her feelings/experiences.

I find Sohpie Flacks comments to be misguided.  Telling other dancers what their social media posts mean?? You can tell them how it makes YOU feel, but that's about it. 

"I'm not here to invalidate your feelings"

followed by...

"by posting on social media your sadness for Peter's downfall, you are siding with an abuser"

1 hour ago, DC Export said:

Casting is posted on the website about two weeks before the performance (usually on Wednesdays).

Here is the link: https://www.nycballet.com/Season-Tickets/Casting.aspx

Thank you!  I can't seem to navigate their website very well. 

I've also been trying to find casting for January on their website.

18 minutes ago, nanushka said:

Anyone else who knew of it at the time or learned of it since, presumably, and perhaps was motivated by recent public disclosures to tip off the company. I'm not suggesting that one explanation is more likely than another, just again pointing out that we know next to nothing about what allegedly occurred, how it came to light, why the company responded as it did, why Marcelo resigned, etc. I think it's very important to keep that lack of knowledge in mind when judging or speculating about what we do know.

No matter how the company learned of the occurrence, though, your point about how the alleged victim must feel now is definitely worth keeping in mind.

Yes I suppose that's possible; I hadn't considered that.