Alexander Lamar said: "Why is this good news?What am I missing?"
It’s not good news.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
Because while it's fine to think that what he did wasn't right or to find that behavior disgusting, the company had no right to outright fire him for what he did on his own time away from the company. That's what this was about and his union went to bat for him and is responsible for the reversal. Take it up with them if you don't like it. They felt that a strong talking to or some kind of suspension would have been fine, but they did not think dismissing him instantly without ever having had him talk on the record was wrong.
I wonder if they asked the female ensemble of NYC Ballet if they feel comfortable re-hiring him? Or will there be a revolt, like when John Lasseter from Pixar got hired at Skydance animation and Emma Thompson quit the project she was working on with them, and there had to be town halls with the employees to handle the fallout.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
I’m a bit confused. Isn’t this workplace sexual harassment? Surely there are laws to justify termination in this instance.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
These men were initially to be suspended- they were only fired after women in the company came forward with their discomfort at having learned of their actions. In an intimate artform such as ballet, who could blame them?
It figures the usual condescending poohbahs on this board emerge in support of this decision.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
At workplaces I've been at, the compulsory sexual harassment training undertaken by all employees, makes it very clear that harassing colleagues outside of working hours or away from the usual workplace is still against the company's policy. I had thought that that was standard these days...
bk said: "Because while it's fine to think that what he did wasn't right or to find that behavior disgusting, the company had no right to outright fire him for what he did on his own time away from the company. That's what this was about and his union went to bat for him and is responsible for the reversal. Take it up with them if you don't like it. They felt that a strong talking to or some kind of suspension would have been fine, but they did not think dismissing him instantly without ever having had him talk on the record was wrong."
If only the union had gone to bat for the women who were violated. Where does this fall in revenge porn laws?
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
I'm not going to go back and re-research all this, but...hadn't the two of those whompus cat hyena goblins taken secret photos of female dancers in states of undress and swapped them back and forth with commentary?
But that can't be right b/c that is certainly enough for immediate termination - I just could've sworn that's what happened.
If NYCB terminated for only objectification and lewdness in text form, they are not smart.
If only the union had gone to bat for the women who were violated. Where does this fall in revenge porn laws?"
The union feels that the right of a harassing dancer to remain employed supersedes the right of a woman to not be harassed while employed. And apparently spreading nude photos of your colleagues is a 'non-criminal personal life activity.'
As a ticket buyer I appreciate knowing this, so I know how to spend my money.
Maybe I'm wrong but I think Alexandra Waterbury was never an employee of NYC Ballet. She was a student at School of American Ballet, the school of the Ballet Company and a training ground for new talent. I find this entire thing disgusting, but morals for things not related to work are not a fireable offense. Likewise, most certainly NYC Ballet will be dismissed from the lawsuit because their term of employing Chase Finlay was not on condition he have an affair with or sleep with Ms Waterbury, who was not associated with the company.
But then Ms Waterbury would not have "deep pockets" to suit.
Less important than the reinstatement of Ramasar is the group of women working in the company who came forward, anonymously, to express their discontent with this decision. Anonymously. Meaning the repercussions of expressing their upset openly feels more daunting than Ramasar walking back into a company after being terminated for sexual harassment. He claims he only shared videos of consensual activities, but I can tell you right now if there were videos of “consensual activities” I had being shared and commented on among coworkers and strangers, there would be all kinds of hell to pay.
This whole situation is disgusting. And as someone else said, it may not be grounds for termination, but it’s good to know all this so I can decide where my money will be spent in the future.
Givesmevoice said: "If only the union had gone to bat for the women who were violated. Where does this fall in revenge porn laws?"
Sad to say that when this all started revenge porn was not yet against the law in the state of New York. However, as of right now, it's been discussed up in Albany, a bill was made and all that it needs is Cuomo's signature.
South Fl Marc said: "Maybe I'm wrong but I think Alexandra Waterbury was never an employee of NYC Ballet. She was a student at School of American Ballet, the school of the Ballet Company and a training ground for new talent."
That's not relevant. since these were affiliated organizations, company members would probably be considered to be in positions of power over students.
I find this entire thing disgusting, but morals for things not related to work are not a fireable offense.
Yeah, that's totally not true. However, in this particular matter, his contract with the NYCB governs the terms of his employment.
Likewise, most certainly NYC Ballet will be dismissed from the lawsuit because their term of employing Chase Finlay was not on condition he have an affair with or sleep with Ms Waterbury, who was not associated with the company.
Unlikely. They are affiliated organizations, and as I said above, he would be considered to have been in a position of power over her. Since he was sharing these pictures with other members of the NYCB, it can be argued that the atmosphere fostered this kind of behavior, regardless if anyone in power had any knowledge of what was happening.
But then Ms Waterbury would not have "deep pockets" to suit."
Nonsense. But since you clearly think that sexual harassment is ok, she isn't a real victim.