FPF

I totally agree. I hope they hire a woman.

He was great in this at Saratoga!

Erica Pereira

I've just read the complaint and the allegations are truly disgusting. The pictures and videos were shared at work and with people other than the three principal dancers, which does I think make the workplace an issue. Also, the NYT has just posted on this story: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/05/arts/dance/nyc-ballet-alexandra-waterbury.html Apparently, Ms. Waterbury has been receiving threats. I hope they select a female AD.

This should be it.

The NYT obituary for has been published: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/01/obituaries/peter-frame-dead.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage&section=Obituaries "Mr. Frame also taught his students to deal with emotional struggles that could diminish their love for the art form, his brother said. 'He taught technique, but he also taught dancers to become the emotions behind their dancing,” he said. “He empowered the dancers to look at what was holding them back and name it.' Mr. Frame offered encouragement and empathy to students in a way that powered them forward in the rigorous world of ballet, said Elizabeth Walker, a faculty member at Ballet Academy East. 'As a teacher,” Ms. Walker said, “he saw the soul of the young dancer and really called it forth.'”

Official statement from www.patamd.org: The Paul Taylor Dance Foundation announced the death yesterday of legendary choreographer Paul Taylor in Manhattan on August 29. Mr. Taylor, a founder and towering icon of America’s homegrown art of modern dance, was at the forefront of the art for decades, and his ideas continue to influence art of the 21st century. During a 64-year career. Mr. Taylor created 147 dances including such masterworks as Aureole, Esplanade, Company B, Promethean Fire and Beloved Renegade. Mr. Taylor’s final work, Concertiana, premiered March 2018. In 2014 Mr. Taylor established an institutional home for the art form: Paul Taylor American Modern Dance. He curated and presented great modern dances of the past and present alongside his own works at Lincoln Center, and commissioned a new generation of choreographers so that modern dance flourishes long into the future. Taylor dancer Michael Novak, whom Mr. Taylor named Artistic Director Designate earlier this year, becomes the second Artistic Director in the Company’s 64-year history. “Paul Taylor was one of the world’s greatest dancemakers, and his passing deeply saddens not only those of us who worked with him, but also people all over the world whose spirits have been touched by his incomparable art,” said Artistic Director Michael Novak. “We are grateful for your love and support as we begin to carry on his legacy with the utmost fidelity and devotion.” In lieu of flowers, to celebrate the memory of Paul Taylor donations can be made to the Paul Taylor Dance Foundation by clicking here: To share memories about Paul Taylor and his work, or to express your condolences, please email us at dancemaker@ptamd.org

This is an interesting article (also from 2011) on development of social medial policy in the arts (including Alberda/NYCB). https://www.danceusa.org/ejournal/2011/03/22/social-media-and-the-arts-the-unbearable-nuance-of-140-characters

Just noting that the above NYT link has been updated to the full obituary.

I'm very sad to hear this. He was still dancing when I first started seeing NYCB regularly.

I only just saw his company for the first time in July, and really enjoyed it. My friend and I will be seeing them again in October at the Egg. I am grateful not only for his choreography and company, but that he had the foresight to designate a successor.

The initial NYT obituary has been posted. Full one to come later. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/30/obituaries/paul-taylor-dead.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage&section=Obituaries

The Board Members are listed here: https://www.nycballet.com/About/Board-and-Staff/Board-of-Directors.aspx. None of them are current dancers, and I don't recognize any as former dancers.

There's another nice story in the NYT with quotes about him from writers and actors: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/26/theater/remembrances-neil-simon.html

That tweet is too funny! 🤣

Not exactly. This is the exact quote from the NYT: But, after an investigation, the company “determined that each man had violated the norms of conduct that New York City Ballet expects from its employees.”

What does a ballet company's code of conduct typically look like?

Maybe if they used company email accounts/computers/cell phones, for example.

A few days ago, I was reading the thread from the beginning of the year when Martins resigned. The NY Times was quoted as suggesting that Millepied, Whelan, and Justin Peck were considered frontrunners. After seeing Whelan this weekend, I rewatched Restless Creature. One thing that struck me was when one of the other dancers mentioned that Wendy knew and was friendly to absolutely everyone (not just artistic staff0 and had really changed the culture so that the dancers were more kind and helpful to each other. In my opinion, she could be a great choice for the humane leader they are seeking. With the recent suspensions/departure, this quality may be even more important.

I remembered incorrectly--the first cast was indeed chosen because they were tall, but it was Ask la Cour and Russell Janzen.

Yes, I also like Silas and he's definitely tall. Wasn't he been cast as half of the two-bodied king with Walker in The Most Incredible Thing because they were the tallest? I seem to vaguely recall reading about it.

Peter Walker and Preston Chamblee are both quite tall, I think.

Macaulay has now posted about this on his Instagram. There's a suggestion in the comments that NYCB should hire Whiteside and McGee Maddox seems to be perhaps suggesting himself. But I agree with Kathleen--there are several tall dancers in the lower ranks who could get new opportunities.

It just says that the company received the complaint, but doesn't specify the recipient.

From the NYT: In a statement, Charles W. Scharf, chairman of the City Ballet board, said the company had several weeks ago “received a letter alleging inappropriate communications made via personal text and email by three members of the company.” The letter did not come from someone in the company, and the communications were “personal in nature.”