December 4, 2017

"The world of ballet is a fuzzy area, those involved say, in which people are regularly touching one another through choreography and instruction."

"An artistic leader like [Peter] Martins looms large — particularly among up-and-coming, young dancers — as a producer who decides which ballets are performed; as a casting director who determines which dancers land the best parts; and as a father figure who designates dancers for promotion."

From "New York City Ballet Investigates Sexual Harassment Claim Against Peter Martins," in the NYT. Martins is "the longtime leader of New York City Ballet."

27 comments:

MayBee said...

They better be careful. I think this is probably what USA Gymnastics told themselves about Dr Nasir

Rabel said...

Looks like Michael Shannon and Robert Redford had a love child.

Rabel said...

"As part of the investigation, Mr. Martins is believed to have discussed romantic relationships he has had with female dancers..."

If the director of the ballet comes out of the closet as his defense... I'm buying it.

Unknown said...

Any sport or activity where physical contact can occur needs to be abolished.

Any decision involving hiring, promotion, demotion or firing needs to be made by lottery.

Anonymous said...

It's those 'fuzzy areas' that so intrigue men.

madAsHell said...

If the director of the ballet comes out of the closet as his defense... I'm buying it.

Playing the gay card was my first thought as well, but that may just back-fire on him.

YoungHegelian said...

"As part of the investigation, Mr. Martins is believed to have discussed romantic relationships he has had with female dancers..."

This guy's straight?!!

In ballet? And he's not Russian?

When this poor guy dies, we should have him stuffed & put in the Smithsonian next to the passenger pigeon, as we may not see either of their likes again.

George M. Spencer said...

Each of Balanchine’s five wives was a principal dancer in his company at the time.

Bill, Republic of Texas said...

Rabel is bringing the snark today. He's en Fuego!

Rabel said...

Thanks, but Laslo's departure has left a void and we should all do our part to fill it.

mockturtle said...

Any sport or activity where physical contact can occur needs to be abolished.

Uh-oh! There goes pairs figure skating!

Bill, Republic of Texas said...

Uh-oh! There goes pairs figure skating

Look where the man's hands go. But if your a ice-skating star they let you grab them by the pussy.

Bill, Republic of Texas said...

I hope Laslo is OK. If your reading this, we miss you and wish you the best!

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Maybe there should be seven areas of the female body designated as no go zones.

Quaestor said...

Lemme guess — I'm not gonna look first — Martins is accused of exploiting the male dancers.

Am I right?

Quaestor said...

Shit. Wrong again.

I was hoping Diaghilev was finally going to get his, if only vicariously.

William said...

I understand that ballet was originally funded to supply wealthy men with a ready supply of supple young women. Ballet dancing used to be a blue collar job. The girls who were recruited to be ballet dancers came from impoverished backgrounds and were treated brutishly during their training.

Luke Lea said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
richard mcenroe said...

Teaching them to pirhouette: good.
Teaching them to pirhouette around your thumb: not so good.

mockturtle said...

William proclaims: The girls who were recruited to be ballet dancers came from impoverished backgrounds and were treated brutishly during their training.

Are you suggesting that is no longer the case?

William said...

I think now they're middle class girls intent on creating beauty, as opposed to making a living.

mockturtle said...

William, have you ever listened to ballerinas talk?

JMW Turner said...

What good is success if it doesn't include sexual hegemony.

I Have Misplaced My Pants said...

Ballet for young girls is as much a part of upper middle class suburban life as orthodontia and lacrosse. However, I don't know anything about serious ballet or what those dancers are like, socioeconomically. I imagine there are Nancy Kerrigans and Tonya Hardings, both.

Sidebar: Have you guys seen the trailer for the movie about Tonya Harding? It looks intense and grimly well acted, but I can't get past what appears to an unrelenting stream of profanity from every character. I get that they're Oregon trailer trash, but guys I grew up Washington trailer trash myself and I swear people knew words other than fuck and cunt.

RBE said...

William has it wrong about who gets recruited into the US ballet world. It is very expensive in this country to train an elite ballet dancer (ice skater, skier or gymnast). Ballet dancers are among the most extensively trained athletes. It is a not an easy life, full of disappointment and the "political" atmosphere can be very damaging to the soul of young people who love the art of classical ballet. Having had a bit more than a toe in that world, I could tell you stories about parents, students, teachers and "creative directors" that would make you roll your eyes in disgust. But dance is also a wonderful world full of beauty and fun. The good outweighs the bad but just like any competitive environment one can get sucked in to the "bad side".

narayanan said...

ballet = pole dancing in its time.
will it now become Olympic event?

William said...

Many years ago I knew a young lady who sincerely wanted to be a professional dancer. I think she was more into modern dance than ballet. She worked very hard at it but never caught on with a company. She had a few professional gigs and occasionally worked as a (clothed) go go dancer. She was very healthy and fit in an era when people more often went to bars than to gymns. She claimed dancing was its own reward and that the training and exertion made her a better person. She was probably right. Even when depressed, she was depressed in an exuberant, cheerful way. She came from a middle class background, but, at the time I knew her, she was kind of a wild child, although even that's kind of middle class behavior.......I don't think sleeping around would help you get ahead. In that milieu, everyone slept around.