GB1216

Page six picked up the update to the case: https://nypost.com/2020/10/20/former-nyc-ballet-dancer-claims-ex-used-lawsuit-to-bolster-career/

I don’t think I can add anything of value that hasn’t already been said on this string. I do remember (pre-scandal) seeing images of Finlay and Waterbury when they were together at one of the galas sitting with Ansel Elgort and others. I remember thinking “What a fast and furious crowd that must be.” As a result, I was not AT ALL surprised when this hit. They gave off an air of extreme that comes along with drugs and bad behavior. To that end, I think Waterbury is completely within her rights to go after Finlay for everything that he and his Connecticut family is worth; they were featured in that aol series from awhile ago and they screamed wealth and privilege. He is guilty - full stop. in terms of NYCB and SAB, I do think the ruling had it right. Organizations and companies can’t be held liable for actions outside of their sphere of influence - which extends to personal relationships. This case had a huge media blitz around it with multiple NYT write ups, etc. it’s easy to assume that they were looking for either a pay out or the publicity. We don’t know the conversations that went on behind closed doors. I do think Waterbury is the victim, and I also don’t find her to be particularly mature either. I’m not shaming her - i just think she could use more mentorship in the words she uses and how she addresses things. For example, the Alexa maxwell situation. Alexa is a grown woman who has been in a long term relationship with Amar. I read Alexa’s statement and I read Waterbury’s response. The response devolved really quickly into rhetoric that shamed Alexa. IMO, not really how to go about things.

Yes- on the MCB website under “meet the company” it says artistic - and it’s the artistic director, ballet masters, etc. that are all listed in that section.

I kind of wish other dancers from prominent companies would comment or show some support. There are some very outspoken dancers these days - Bouder, Copeland. The only high profile ballerina I can see who liked her message was Isabella Boylston. My guess is that they aren’t willing to buck their own system.

Personally, I like her and her content. However, there have been times where I have felt that she was a little “holier than though” in some videos and can come off as a difficult person in general. Only child, adopted, gifted dancer, illness that she’s overcome - I get it. however, with that said, I don’t think any assumption on her personality is indicative of how she deserved to be treated by MCB. They should have been up front with her in terms of their true intentions (if indeed it was just for PR). I liked the mention above of guest appearances. It could have been a mutually beneficial arrangement to get her back on stage (with a low level company commitment).

I haven’t noticed anything public from kathryn morgan’s statement, but I did see that Nathalia arja commented on chloe’s, and Jovani furlan also published her post on his stories. So even though the MCB dancers may not be coming out to support Morgan there does seem to be a fair amount for Chloe.

No! He was pretty circumspect about it and lightly touched on the dynamics in both interviews.

Personally, they should have had their ear to the ground more. This is 2020 and they hired a comeback dancer with a PLATFORM. Literally a young NYCB wunderkind who left due to illness that then became a social media presence. i don’t know if anyone has heard jovani furlan’s interviews but I believe in both a conversations on dance podcast and on his interview with Megan Fairchild he touches on how things weren’t being handled well at MCB and that he wasn’t happy with some things going on even if it didn’t touch him personally.

Agreed. I think it was more of a PR move and they would just throw her a bone here or there. Not nice. it’s possible that they were hopeful at the beginning since they did seem to want to cast her in many things. Overall handled very badly. I think @cubanmiamiboyhad read it right about the company being very enclosed and all extremely petite. The powers at be didn’t really want to break that mold it seems.

FYI - Kathryn Morgan commented on her IG that a video will be coming soon about leaving MCB. It will be interesting to see how detailed she gets based on that podcast she did regarding leaving for her mental and physical well being.

Very valid point! I didn’t think of that aspect of it but it is very true. It’s important to spread the wealth of exposure. I think while all of us balletomanes are happy to see what we can get despite no in person performances, this new digital experience really does give NYCB and ballet in general an opportunity to reach a newer audience in ways they never have before - whether it be someone brand new to ballet, the passive ballet goer, etc. hopefully, it will bring more people in and/or set up a basis for an extra revenue stream for them. FWIW, I have donated as well. I feel that I would have paid for the performance anyway and if I’m consuming the media then it’s only fair.

I have to say that I think they are killing it with the planning of their digital seasons - especially when compared to ABT, who has yet to find a digital identity in any way. while the excerpts may be a low point, I think they are trying to find the balance of giving people ballet but not releasing so much of their repertory digitally that people would skip the in person performances of all those pieces when they are back. They also are probably trying to diversify the programs for those that only want to snippets vs full pieces. Ballet is obviously at its best in person and doesn’t always translate to video well in long(ish) segments. I work in content marketing and balance is always hard to find but possible to strike with enough testing, and I think that is what they are trying to do here. also happy the podcast is coming back!

I agree that there was definitely a personality conflict. I like Morgan a lot and she’s very outspoken which I think can come off as difficult. Still no excuses though when it comes to her shape - they knew what she looked like when they gave her a contract. I’m confused by the comment that Lopez felt she had to get a dig in. In what way? I don’t think she’s commented.

Wonder if diamonds will be included in her farewell.

I think at the end of the day she is able to make a living and that’s what counts. I do wish she could have been able to stay at MCB, but I guess that just wasn’t in the cards.

I just was looking at her IG and it was updated to say “Former soloist with New York City Ballet & Miami City Ballet”. Her removal from the website was the big tip off but now that just confirms it quietly.

I was actually surprised in the Megan Fairchild interview how candid she was about not staying in Miami long term. I felt it was a pretty bold move to say that out loud if she really wanted to stay. I always wondered if there was tension with the organization after how vocal she was regarding firebird. She truly does seem happy though in salt lake and ballet west. Maybe there is opportunity for her to dance there instead. also - she’s been pretty quiet on her you tube channel recently and focusing more on teaching. I’ve been following her on that channel for awhile and she tends to go quiet when something is happening in the background (speculation, of course). She managed to upload pretty regularly throughout her time with MCB.

From what it seems on Instagram, he was cast in Spielberg’s west side story as a Jet. So probably has taken a leave of absence for filming.

What happened between Lane and Cornejo that they no longer partner together?

Thank you so much!

Question for the group! My friend and I are planning on getting tickets for Giselle in NYC in June. However, due to schedules, we can only go either June 9th (Hee Seo/Cory Stearns) or June 10th (misty/Herman). I’m assuming shoot for June 10th? Thoughts on which cast would be better out of those two? For context, I have never seen Hee in a full length and have only seen Misty in her Firebird.

I think from reading through the recent comments what I’m hearing is that Balanchine’s full lengths (Nut, Coppelia, Midsummer) are wonderful and can fit within the rep. I 100% agree. I personally have always enjoyed Coppelia even though it doesn’t come around very often. There is contention instead amongst the Martins full lengths - the story ballets Balanchine didn’t really touch (aside from the one act SL). I think it is a good strategy to have these full lengths in the rep as it DOES sell tickets. However, for the people who only go once or twice a year, after seeing a production like this SL or R+J, it will probably just push that group over to ABT the next time they want to see a ballet.

I would really love some Wheeldon imports. I do agree that new contemporary work seems to be a focus. However, for a Swan Lake that only comes around every 2 years or so, I think an A+ production would go a long way in getting new people in the door. It doesn’t need to be like ABT or Royal Ballet. It can still have a neoclassical/contemporary slant and be fabulous. also, agree re: their Sleeping Beauty. I saw it once many moons ago and never went back.

It really is sad that so many wonderful dancers have this production as their Swan Lake vehicle. They deserve better. I wonder if it’s on the table for Stafford/Whelan to do a new version? I think it would be well worth it.

Just read the piece - very insightful and she’s lucky to have a cheerleader like marika to guide her. Also I think this is the first time she’s directly mentioned the divorce from Robbie Fairchild? I’m sure that was so stressful for her and many times emotional stress leads to physical stress.