abatt

That's true. They probably could have terminated him for any reason or no reason, provided the termination wasn't motivated by racial bias, age discrimination or other protected categories. But NYCB did not go that route. Instead, they chose to hire a leading law firm in employment law to investigate and to render a legal opinion based on the factual investigation. It's fair to conclude that the law firm's legal opinion will address whether Martins' conduct constituted a violation of employment law, and whether his conduct constituted abuse under the law.

Martin's dating of Kistler when she was 16 isn't the issue. It's an irrelevant side show. So are the DUI's. The only issue is whether he committed sexual abuse or physical abuse,as defined under the law, against dancers or students during the course of his employment since he was elevated to director in 1983.

I had a friend who was on track from childhood in the professional school of Boston Ballet. As she grew up into her teenage years, her instructor told her that her hips were made for child rearing, not ballet. She quit ballet shortly thereafter. (By the way, this woman was and still is as thin as a rail.) This is the reality of how professional ballet companies work. Comments are hurtful, and instructors often are not nice people. However, making such a comment does not constitute harassment or misconduct.

I guess I'm jaded, but it seems to me that anybody who has watched a TV show about lawyers or police investigations would have realized that attorney Hoey would be testing Kelly Boal's memory of an event that took place decades ago, and also confronting her with evidence that she continued to have contact with Martins, voluntarily, even after she quit NYCB (the pool party).

I found Mrs. Boal's objections/complaints about the manner in which the investigation was conducted, as reported in the Post, to be utterly ridiculous.

I think the only good thing that may come out of this is hopefully Ask's days are numbered at NYCB. He is the weakest male principal, and always has been. I thought it was pretty interesting that Bouder was re-posting from Natalie Portman's (Mrs. Millepied's) website. .

So the investigation has morphed from sexual abuse to physical abuse, but now we are focusing on body shame issues. Weight and being injury prone have always been factors that play a big part in whether a dancer succeeds. Is it now deemed misconduct to consider those factors ? Is NYCB going to start to look like the Mark Morris Dance Group in terms of body types? I sure hope not.

Wow. Bombshell. What did Sean Lavery do that prompted a big payout settlement to Vincent Paradiso? Also, based on Helene's comment above, why was this listed in the tax return as a key employee payment, rather than a settlement of legal liability? This is troubling on many levels. Were they trying to hide it by pretending that Paradiso was a key employee?

The SFB AD job is also a multi-pronged job, just like the AD position at NYCB. I assume that Martins' high salary is based in part on his long tenure, his bonus, and compensation for his intellectual property. If his job is split in two, let's say that the annual compensation is $400K. I bet Wheeldon makes much more than that for his previously created choreography, plus new commissions. I'm also guessing that Peck is now making about that much when you add up his salary as a soloist, plus his compensation as a Broadway choreographer, plus his intellectual property compensation for works performed by numerous companies, plus his new commissions. So splitting the job may not be terribly enticing financially for the choreographic celebrities like Wheeldon or Peck.

Does that include his compensation as head of SAB, or was he making an additional salary above the $900,000 for his SAB work? Also, some of that compensation may relate to royalties on his choreography, not his salary as AD of NYCB.

Here is a review from a film critic of the NY Times of Anatomy of A Dancer. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/02/movies/anatomy-of-a-male-ballet-dancer-review-marcelo-gomes.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Farts&action=click&contentCollection=arts&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront

I doubt that the investigative findings will ever be released officially. Maybe they will be leaked to the press by a Board member or by Martins, if it is favorable to him.

If they split up Martins' job into two different positions, the annual salary for each position might not be attractive enough to certain candidates.

Perry Silvey, the long time stage manager at NYCB, has posted a defense of Peter Martins in the comment section of the NY Times article announcing Peter's retirement.

These developments are a setback for the soloists who were on track for a potential promotion like Phelan, Ball and maybe others. None of the interim directors are going to promote anyone. Moreover, it's unlikely a new person coming in as the permanent director will act quickly regarding any promotions.

The dysfunction is most noteworthy in the trouble their daughter is in. Talicia's hearing in Maine is this week (assuming it has not been adjourned again.)

Ability to raise funds is actually just as important as being able to teach. Possibly more important. Sara Mearns has posted a black blank page on her instagram account. Wheeldon was not mentioned as a candidate, which I find interesting. Maybe he prefers to just choreograph.

I think Whelan has been teaching at Ballet Academy East, so she does have some experience in teaching and coaching. I think it would be marvelous if the Board appointed a woman to Peter's NYCB position.

I respectfully disagree, Helene. When MCB came to New York critics and audiences alike were highly impressed with the rep and with the vitality of the dancers.

Yes, the new DUI last week was the nail in the coffin. However, ultimately I thought this would end in his resignation even without the new DuI. If they are continuing the investigation and they end up concluding that he engaged in misconduct, does that impact his compensation/pension? I tend to doubt it. Is Darci continuing on at SAB? The article is silent about whether she will continue in her present jobs. Millepied as Martins successor? Please no, no, no. Whelan would be an incredible choice. I would also support Peck. But NO Millepied.

Mearns announced on her social media that she will not dance Dewdrop again. This was her final season for that role. Back to DeLuz, he will probably retire either later this season or next season. But I'm sure he will get the full retirement gala, which he deserves.

I don't interpret his words as meaning that he is leaving. He is merely retiring a particular role.

I think many of the artists who were either being honored or were performing might have boycotted if Trump had attended.

As previously mentioned Copeland and R. Fairchild were part of the de Lavallade tribute. In addition, Stella Abrera did a pdd with Broadway star Brandon Victor Dixon. Also, Alicia Graf Mack, Matthew Rushing and Linda Celeste Sims did part of the Wade in the Water segment from Ailey's Revelations.

Gorak used to be thought of as the next Hallberg. I don't think anyone in the above thread has mentioned him as someone who could fill in any of the TBA spots. He seems to be going nowhere at ABT.