Rose

Bouder DID look amazing. She thinks she is still just as amazing now. She has plenty of blind eyes to back her up.

Yes, mostly. Many people and institutions have done me wrong and I haven't shared it with the world. If I had, it would be wrong of me to turn back around and celebrate those people or institutions so I could experience a moment of glory. Your last statement is an over-reaction and I don't agree with it.

No, I think their criticisms are true. They gave their heart and soul to that institution and it was their entire existence for a time. But many dancers were treated like cans of paint that were drying up and needed to be tossed or colors that weren't ever wanted at all. If, after everything that's said and done, and the years have rolled by, the final outcome is great joy and happiness for a memorable life-lived, then your experience wasn't that bad. It was mostly good. Just because you feel a certain way at a certain time doesn't mean you need to share it with the world and disparage an institution whose very existence is amazing in the first place. Maybe wait a few years, let the dust settle, and then decide how you really feel. On another note, I think it's in extremely poor taste for Ashley Bouder to bring her daughter up on stage for the bow (and to the party on the promenade if she did that too, not sure). Just think if everyone brought their kids what a mad house it would be! I think this is another example of her narcissism -- the rules don't apply to her and her daughter is merely an extension of her own self.

I find it disconcerting that a great number of former NYCB dancers who were very outspoken about the various problems that they have with NYCB as an institution and its negative impact on their life, gushed on Instagram about how proud they are to have been part of such an amazing legacy. I can imagine that its thrilling (and frankly, ego-boosting) to be honored as an alumnus of such a select group. That (and a deep reverence for Balanchine) was likely the draw to attend such a momentous occasion. However, this behavior is the epitome of talking out of both sides of your mouth.

I thought so too. However, her priorities seem to have shifted a great deal in the past few years. Furthermore, despite the fact that she's supposedly been taking class and exercising outside of class for several months, there's been no discernible difference in her appearance. It's almost as if she's burned out and can't get back to the mindset/work ethic/discipline she once had. She's not the same Bouder from 2015 but many people still can't see it.

Because this was done quietly without the usual fanfare of a longstanding employee leaving, makes me think something else is going on besides saving money.

Yes, I have. I like it. I think it's better than a lot of ballet-based fiction I've read.

That's interesting! What was the occasion? What did she talk about exactly? I'm so curious!

https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B0C67RDL72

Every story ballet by Welch is "a muddled hot mess" in my opinion. Thank you for sharing your opinion because nobody down here seems to agree with me! Welch's abstract ballets are better but still leave much to be desired. It's a shame they waste millions of dollars on that crap. I don't think the big donors know any better. Houston Ballet dancers are amazing despite the ballets they are given. Just think how bad it would look if they weren't.

It's been a while since she was at an NYCB principal farewell. It looked like the dancers who came out after her were avoiding standing next to her with many of them clumped together off to her side.

I agree with you. I think the reasons behind most of the promotions are not based entirely on ability.

I'm not surprised about the recent promotions. Alexa Maxwell is definitely ready and deserving. I feel like she had to wait too long and had to deal with so much in the past few years (injury and the photo-sharing scandal). As for Bouder, I honestly don't really see her coming back. I know that sounds harsh but it's not meant to be. I don't think she's facing the reality of her situation. How she finally exits will be interesting.

No one was ever notified (that I'm aware) that PM was going to be teaching class. I don't think it mattered that much who PM chose because almost everyone in the advanced division of the school was good enough for the company. And to be very clear, I am not referring to the children in the school who perform roles in the above-mentioned ballets. Those are not corps roles. Please don't mention the Garland Dance for the hardly-ever-performed-SB. Story ballets are the exception. But, come on, how relevant are story ballets at NYCB?

I wasn't referring to non-dancing filler background roles in Sleeping Beauty or any other 'story' ballet. Those parts don't require technique (or anything) and also they don't come around very often. Advanced students don't perform with the company in dancing roles unless they are apprentices (I can't speak for the random male from the school who Stafford now employs). Sometimes dancers become apprentices so quickly, you might think they are still students. I'm not referring to a student during Balanchine's era who was in an advanced level and made it onto the stage in The Nutcracker. It was different then. Also, obviously it is not just Kay Mazzo who spoke with Peter Martins about which dancer to hire, it could be any teacher at the school. She just had the most clout at that time because she ran the school.