Alleged abuse at Vienna Ballet Academy; Director relieved of duties

[Melody]

Just saw an alarming article in the Guardian, which is a follow-up to a report last April about abuse of students at the Vienna State Opera ballet academy.

 

The original article was mostly about physical and verbal abuse.

 

This one is adding the almost unbelievable information that young students are apparently being encouraged to smoke to stay slim. This takes body-shaming to a whole new level.  At some point schools, companies, and choreographers are going to really have to revisit this whole business of demanding thinner and thinner dancers. I remember the days when female dancers had breasts and hips and it wasn't a problem.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/17/vienna-ballet-academy-encouraged-children-smoke-stay-slim

 

[Geoff]

This story on the BBC website might be of interest:-

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-50831698

 

 

 

[Mummy twinkle toes]

This is a very worrying article. A full investigation needs to happen. Abuse of any kind should not be tolerated.

[Picturesinthefirelight]

I think people would be surprised at what also goes on in UK schools too.  Usually isolated incidents but some teachers seem to be mavericks.

[Moneypenny]

Sadly, the ballet profession is pretty toxic in some areas and the more I hear, the less I am surprised.

[Crystaltips]

On 19/12/2019 at 12:07, Picturesinthefirelight said:

I think people would be surprised at what also goes on in UK schools too.  Usually isolated incidents but some teachers seem to be mavericks.

And some of us are not at all surprised 

[Aurora in waiting]

On 19/12/2019 at 16:39, Moneypenny said:

Sadly, the ballet profession is pretty toxic in some areas and the more I hear, the less I am surprised.

Couldn’t agree more, I feel exactly the same and questioning if this is the industry I really want my DD to be entering. The more I witness like you the less and less I’m impressed. 

 

[Jeannette]

Yesterday, Director Simone Noja was relieved of her duties at the Vienna State Ballet Academy amid allegations of abuse of students. According to this article, the alleged abuse revolves around weight, such as making children give their first names and clothes size before speaking. Yikes!

 

(trying to paste a link...it’s on Yahoo News, NY Times and, I’m sure, other periodicals)

 

 

Edited December 21, 2019 by Jeannette
Trying to copy-paste links

[Jan McNulty]

1 hour ago, Jeannette said:

 

 

(trying to paste a link...it’s on Yahoo News, NY Times and, I’m sure, other periodicals)

 

 

 

It's in newspapers all over the world, easily findable via Google.

[Moneypenny]

Tip of the iceberg! Young women are destroying their bodies and risking their future health to conform to an aesthetic which is seemingly still coveted by many company directors. And there are so many talented young women who are so desperate to get work in the ballet industry that enable this kind of behaviour to continue.

 

There is great training out there and many great dance jobs where artists are treated well at auditions, with respect in work and paid well, but there is also a flip side and this is what parents and dancers need to be mindful of, watch out for and not get sucked into.

[Jeannette]

So sad, even if or a surprise.

[FlowerPower]

It's quite sad that fitness/athleticism isn't the preference - wouldn't it make for better dancers? 😕

[annaliesey]

None of us are surprised in the slightest. FWIW at least they have taken action and relieved of duties. Maybe there’s a glimmer of hope that change is happening. Now the uk needs to follow where things are called out