Lena C.

It’s a bit vague, owing to privacy legal reasons, but does manage to give a clearer idea of what ultimately forced Sarah out of ABT. Sarah said that she had been offered a principal contract with SF Ballet when she was a soloist. But she didn’t want long distance with Luis. That’s very her, family over career. But I think she would have been better off with SF. Sarah would’ve been dancing principal roles long ago and she’d probably still be with them right now. I probably never would’ve seen her dance, but it would’ve been the better career move for her.Sarah seems to blame a particular, formerly treasured partner’s frequent injuries, but I suspect that’s just an excuse. I still remember how before the 2019 met season, he completely erased Sarah from his Instagram, going back several years. At the time, Sarah didn’t follow suit. True professionals though, they danced so beautifully during that 2019 met season. Especially Manon. You’d never guess what was really going on. He has always seemed universally beloved, so it’s shocking to see him in this light. Sarah does say that she wants to join another company. I’m sad to say that I don’t have much confidence in that. I thought maybe Richmond Ballet, but now Sarah seems to have parted ways with them too. I’d give anything to see her dance again. But I suspect this piece would scare off potential companies, if any. McKenzie treated Sarah so horribly. I’m glad he’s leaving. Sad to see Sarah’s career likely end like this. She deserved so much better.

Just saw that Sarah Lane will be guesting with New Jersey Ballet in Paquita, partnered by Carlos Gonzalez. I’m happy that she’s found an opportunity to dance again! Good for Carlos too.

It’s disheartening to see that Sarah has erased the “Dancer” from her written bio. She worked so hard to earn “Principal Dancer @abtofficial.” But Sarah is clearly still dancing/putting in the studio time, as evidenced by her recent posts. I know that Misa Kuranaga just joined SFB. So despite COVID, there are still seasoned dancers joining other companies. (I bring her up because I believe that she and Sarah are around the same age.) I just want to see Sarah dance again in the future. I’d travel anywhere to see her, as I’m sure many of her other fans would as well. Even a regional company! I’d be so happy if Sarah announced that she was joining a regional company, because that would mean I could still see her dance. A Juliet from her on a regional stage would be just as magical as it would’ve been at the met. It will probably be a good while until we can experience live shows, but I’d gladly wait if I knew that Sarah’s dancing was on the other end. Wistful thinking perhaps, but until Sarah indicates otherwise, I’m going to hope that her SL last Feb wasn’t the last time I’ll ever see her dance. (I will say though that she seems happy to be teaching. If she has indeed ended her performing career, I do think that she’d make a wonderful teacher.)

I certainly don't mean to disparage these dancers, including Gabe. They are all lovely. It's just very hard to be happy about the promotions when Sarah's treatment has been so despicable. As a staunch Sarah fan, this feels akin to a death. A great, sudden, unexpected loss. The salt in the wound is that there has yet to be any acknowledgment of Sarah from the company. In all honesty, I have been grieving all day ever since I found out. It would be different if Sarah had been given one last season, one last show, even a paltry social media post thanking her for all her years of dancing. It's the fact that the company let the audience know about Sarah by removing her from the roster, shows just how little they value her. I wish all of the promoted dancers the best of luck, and know they have bright futures. But right now, I'm mouning the loss of Sarah.

I wholeheartedly agree with everything you've said, Laurel.

Lane's break with Cornejo was quite clear, but I hadn't realized that it extended to Ratmansky as well. I thought it odd that Lane wasn't cast as the Rose for met 2020, but didn't think anything of it because she was still cast for SB. Oh man. A break with a long time partner and apparent close friend is one thing. But a break with your mentor and the artist in residence is quite another...They have all been tight lipped on social media. So it's true, we'll never really know what happened until one of them decides to let us know. Still, whatever Lane did or didn't do, her termination is still most unjust after everything she's given to ABT.

Ah, I wasn't aware of those union rules. Then Lane's Juliet debut must have been a parting gift. Now I'm even more grieved to have missed it. The good news of the promotions is, for me at least, darkened by Lane's unjust termination. If there was any hint of a legitimate reason...but there's nothing. Lane was at the top of her game for her D.C. Giselle and Richmond Swan Lake. Nothing unsavory in her personal life. So much rep under her belt, waited patiently for ten years to be promoted, put up with being Copeland' s unofficial understudy...I am just sick at ABT's abominable treatment of Lane. Showbiz sure...but I guess I naively expected better from ABT. Certainty learned my lesson.

Yes, this is exactly how I feel as well. Copeland is older than Lane, the latter also being the superior dancer. There's no way Copeland would've limped through her Swan Lake's without Lane to prop her up. Yet she's a "celebrity" who brings in money, so ABT decides to keep her. There is no legitimate reason for this outrageous and uncalled for treatment of Lane. I too am thoroughly disgusted with ABT. I will only go from now on for a small handful of performances, with the few dancers left that I support. (I will also be extremely disappointed if Lane's fellow dancers don't acknowledge her leaving, once we know if it's official. The ABT account is run by the dancers, so we'll see...)

Yes, my sentiments exactly. I do think it unlikely that Lane left on her own. Similar to what Nanushka said, Lane is very active on social media. I think that if she was leaving of her own volition, she'd have removed her principal status. It seems highly probable that she only found out today, along with the promotions. That likelihood makes it even more despicable. Here's hoping!

I am so devastated about Sarah Lane. I can't even be happy about the other promotions. I was worried that she'd be pushed out like Veronika Part, but I never imagined this...I thought she'd at least get a farewell performance...the fact that this has happened again to an underappreciated dancer well before their retirement time, only confirms my great disgust for ABT management.

Hear hear! Lane and Forster are long time veterans of the company who severely suffered from the guest star policy. Now they are both being overlooked in favor of the younger, management-favored rising stars. How hard would it have really been to include Lane and Forster in the debut videos? Even now off stage, management shows what they really value. Just further confirming my dislike. When performing is allowed, I will only go to a select few. I'm really not happy with ABT and the direction it's taking. (In other news, it appears that Copeland has deleted her Instagram account after an argument with Lane. Lane natively made a post that included the hashtag "all lives matter" and Copeland called her out on it. Lane explained that she did not know about the negative connotations of #alllivesmatter and proceeded to change it to #blacklivesmatter. Others felt that Copeland was unfairly harsh on Lane, who had good intentions, acknowledged her own naivete and changed the hashtag. Copeland had already deleted her comments and entire account when I came across Lane's post. I don't know if the exchange with Lane was the sole reason for Copeland deleting her account, but it's a pretty good guess. I'm sure she'll be back soon enough.)

Very disappointed to hear this, but I can't say I'm surprised. He's had issues with injuries and hasn't been cast in that many lead roles over the past few seasons. I recall he had to bow out of his one swan lake last (?) year. (To my recollection.) Still sad that he won't get his well deserved farewell. Wish he could've had this last season, but I'm very fortunate to have seen a lot of his dancing over the past few years. One of the best Tybalts/The Jailers I've ever seen! 2016 was really my first in depth met season and I remember seeing Hammoudi as Siegfried in Swan Lake, Firebird, Romeo in R&J. A dance film career seems to suit him. I'll definitely be following his post dance career.

I was holding out hope that ABT would push their spring season into July and August, but this news makes me think otherwise. It seems likely that they're facing a reduced makeup season next fall. Something is better than nothing, but I was so looking forward to Lane's Juliet debut and Brandt's Aurora debut. Perhaps they'll both premiere this fall.

YES both of these observations are exactly what I meant. Thank you for clearing that up. (Kinda bums me out even more. I'd thought there was still the possibility of Lane's SL, but this seems quite unlikely now.)

Yes that's exactly what I was thinking. Before, I thought that if Lane was being phased out/not paired with Cornejo, at least her value as an understudy would keep her important to ABT. Now she might not even have that; Copeland's understudy position.

Agreed regarding Lane. I'd hoped that She and Cornejo might dance together if they had to due to injury. (Since she was Copeland's understudy for Apollo last fall.) I guess it'll really never happen again. That said, I'd also much rather see Brandt than Copeland. Wouldn't be surprised if there's another passing the baton post.

Just saw that Skylar Brandt is learning Swan Lake with coaches Irina and Max. In her words, "for fun." I wouldn't be surprised if Brandt is the new Copeland Swan Lake understudy.

I have a bad feeling that this spring could be Lane's last at ABT. The AD could very likely just not renew Lane's contract and effectively terminate her employment. Of course, I hope I'm wrong but her lack of casting/shows speaks volumes. Left a very bitter taste in my mouth.

I think we can all agree that what ABT needs above all else is better coaching! Wish they would hire Irina and Max.

I think the main issue regarding Lane is the number of shows she's getting. Sure, Copeland only has one more lead role than Lane, but she has two Juliet's, two Jane Eyre's and two Swan Lake's. Lane only has a single show of each lead role. Not counting the fact that she currently has no other secondary shows at all, not even the rose in the seasons which she originated. The number of shows is important because it indicates the viability, the amount of dancing. Lane has the least amount of dancing, even less than some soloists. Her lack of Swan Lake is the final nail in the coffin. Last year proves that apparently Lane is good enough to understudy but not to actually get her own show. I think this is sufficient evidence to show that she is being phased out of the company. It's not as if she's coming back from injury or something like maternity leave. Her Giselle last week proved she's at the top of her game. So why only be cast for three shows out of the entire season, with no other secondary roles?

I agree with the gist of what everyone has said about Lane. Her falling out with Cornejo, as well as Simkin and Cirio's departures, have definitely delt a blow to Lane's career. Cornejo most of all. I am still heartbroken over that. As someone else said, Lane had that nice niche of being able to partner the short and tall men. Of course, if the AD wanted to, he could certainly cast Lane with Stearns, Ahn or Bell. Lane has danced with all three. So partner height isn't the issue, it's the AD simply not wanting to cast Lane. That brings me to what I've suspected ever since spring casting came out: that Lane is being slowly forced into retirement like Part. It is this kind of treatment that makes my blood boil. In the future, I will support the dancers but not the company. I can't abide the way management treats dancers not in favor. This spring, I'm going to enjoy what's left of Lane's dancing career and hope she's still the understudy for Cornejo's shows. Even with the falling out, they are professionals. I'm sure they'd dance together if the situation occurred. At least I hope. I also appreciated Lane's new post clarifying her position about the unfortunate quite. I'm going to take her at her word.

Agreed.

We'll see. It's certainly unfortunate that she chose to quote that person. Someone quoted Hillary Clinton in her comments and Lane "liked" it.

Yes I saved it too. Bottom line, we got wonderful rehearsal video of Lane in argubley her best role. That's what I'm focusing on.

Yes I can see how this could turn out. It makes me sad really, that Lane is at a place where she feels she needs to express herself like this. She is such a gifted dancer yet isn't appreciated by her own company and will probably be forced into retirement. In her situation, I understand how it could've led to this unfortunate post. As a fan of hers, it's hard to see. She's just not doing herself any favors with posts like this.