Op-Ed: What AGMA Got Wrong in Advocating for the NYCB Principals Trading Nude Photos of Ballerinas

Last Friday, through an appeal to an independent arbitrator, the American Guild of Musical Artists successfully reinstated NYCB principals Amar Ramasar and Zachary Catazaro, previously fired for allegedly circulating sexually explicit texts containing nude photos. AGMA opposed Ramasar and Catazaro’s terminations in order to prevent the setting of a dangerous precedent that would allow dancers […]

NYCB's Firing of Zachary Catazaro and Amar Ramasar Determined "Wrongful and Unjust"

One of the country’s top arbitrators has decided to reinstate Amar Ramasar and Zachary Catazaro to New York City Ballet. The former principals were fired last fall for “inappropriate communications,” namely graphic text messages. The dancers’ union, American Guild of Musical Artists, fought the termination, arguing that the firings were unjust since they related entirely […]

NYCB Dancers Speak Out Against Harassment at the Fall Gala

Would New York City Ballet address the elephant in the room? At the company’s annual fall gala last night, where the focus is ostensibly on newly-commissioned ballets and high-profile fashion collaborations, it was impossible not to wonder whether there would be any direct acknowledgement of the turmoil broiling behind the scenes: namely, an explosive lawsuit […]

The Dance Community Responds to NYCB's Firing of Amar Ramasar & Zachary Catazaro

New York City Ballet fired principal dancers Amar Ramasar and Zachary Catazaro on Saturday. Both had initially been suspended until 2019 for engaging in “inappropriate communications,” while principal Chase Finlay, who was the instigator of those communications, resigned. (Although, in a statement on Saturday, NYCB made it clear they had decided to terminate Finlay prior […]

Two New York City Ballet Principals Suspended, Another Leaves

New York City Ballet will be three male principals short this season. Due to “inappropriate communications,” Amar Ramasar and Zachary Catazaro have been suspended without pay until 2019, and Chase Finlay has resigned, effective immediately, according to The New York Times. (Finlay’s name has already disappeared from the company roster on nycballet.com.) A statement from […]