Two dancers fired by NYC Ballet for nude photo charges

NEW YORK – Two dancers were fired from the New York City Ballet Saturday amid accusations that they were part of a group of male dancers who inappropriately shared photos and videos of naked women.

The ballet company said major dancers Amar Ramasar and Zachary Catarazo, as well as a third dancer, Chase Finlay, who resigned last month, "have committed inappropriate communications that, although personal, behavior that NYCB expects from his employees.

The layoffs took place after a woman who had been out with Finley, Alexandra Waterbury, said in a lawsuit this month that Finlay had sent explicit videos and photos of her taken without her knowledge to other men, including dancers.

In his lawsuit against City Ballet and Finlay, Waterbury accused the company of tolerating an "atmosphere of fraternity" where the dancers understood that they "could degrade, belittle, mistreat and abuse women, without consequences." ".

The lawsuit stated that a donor wrote to Finlay to suggest that men should tie ballerinas "and abuse them like farm animals," to which Finlay responded, "or like the sluts that do not belong to them." ;they are".

While denying that they had tolerated inappropriate behavior, company officials opened an investigation after being informed of the charges against Waterbury and were considering dismissing Finlay when he resigned, the company said.

Ramasar and Catarazo, who had been identified in the trial as having shared nude photos with Finlay, were initially suspended without pay until the company decided to finish them on Saturday.

Katherine Brown, Executive Director of City Ballet, and Jonathan Stafford, Acting Artistic Team Leader, said in a statement, "We do not have to make sure our dancers and their staff feel respected and valued. for all New York City Ballet employees. We will not allow the private actions of a few to undermine the hard work and strength of character shown by other members of our community or the excellence of the company.

A union representing Ramasar and Catarazo said he would contest the layoffs. "Based on all the information received from the company, the allegations relate entirely to non-work-related activities and do not reach the level of cessation" just cause ", said the American Guild of Musical Artists in a statement. "As the AGMA would do for one of its members, we will soon be filing an arbitration application to enforce the employment rights of our members."

Catarazo said "deeply saddened" by the termination of his contract.

"I have worked all my life to reach the level of senior dancer in a company with the highest prestige, and I am devastated by the possibility of not being able to share the stage with the wonderful talented artists and my friends there. "he said in a statement, adding," I respect and admire all the ballerinas I dance with in the company and I strive every day to be the best partner possible.

Supporters of Finlay, Ramasar and Catarazo leave City Ballet without three of the top 14 male dancers before the opening of the 2018-2019 season.

Ramasar had been a big star in the company, which also received awards for his performance as Jigger Craigin in the Broadway cover of the movie "Carousel". A dancer's lawyer said Ramasar would be on stage on Sunday. A representative of "Carousel" did not immediately return an email requesting a comment.

The Waterbury lawyer did not immediately respond to an email requesting comments on the Ramasar and Catarazo referrals.

After Waterbury filed his case on Sept. 4, a Finlay lawyer said the allegations "should not be considered facts."

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