Ballet San Antonio announced Friday afternoon that Artistic Director Willy Shives is no longer with the company. The announcement comes after an internal investigation into allegations that the company operated under a “culture of fear” and abusive behavior.
The Friday statement does not indicate whether Shives resigned or was terminated, but says a search for a new artistic director will commence immediately. The 2018-19 season will continue as scheduled, with Ballet San Antonio planning to employ guest choreographers for the productions of Beauty and The Beast, The Nutcracker, and Carmen, according to the statement.
“We thank [Shives] for his service over the past two and a half years and wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” the statement reads.
Ballet San Antonio Marketing Coordinator Tamara Bertram said she had no information beyond what was included in the statement. Board Chair Lisa Westmoreland, Executive Director Evin Eubanks, and Shives could not immediately be reached for comment via e-mail, call, or text on Friday afternoon.
Dancers were informed of Shives’ departure in a Thursday meeting, a source with knowledge of the situation told the Rivard Report.
The allegations that prompted the investigation were detailed in an April 16 letter to the board. The letter contains seven dancers’ accounts of verbal abuse, body-shaming, manipulation, and bullying by “those who are in positions of power within the organization.” The letter states 23 dancers left the company in the past two seasons, since the hiring of Shives in 2015.
Westmoreland told the Rivard Report in early May that the board spoke with Shives about the allegations and that “he adamantly denies promoting a culture of fear.”
Shives sent a statement to the Rivard Report via email in early May: “I have the utmost respect for everyone involved with Ballet San Antonio (BSA), including the dancers, ballet master, administration and board. I was brought on two years ago to help rebuild BSA and elevate the company to a new artistic level. The recent issues raised by former dancers were a surprise to me and BSA. However, I am committed to work with our BSA administration and board to address the concerns and make any necessary improvements for the benefit of BSA, especially, our dancers.”
In a response to the allegations, Westmoreland announced plans to hold town hall meetings with dancers, board members, and staff, including Shives and Eubanks.
Isn’t that what dance directors do? Do you really want a lot of fat and inept swans?
Do you really want a culture of shame and fear in any work environment? These dancers have almost all been training for over 20 years and continue their vigorous training throughout their careers. They are professionals who want to do their best and provide quality dance performances for their beloved audiences. They are internally motivated to higher work standards than most people will ever have the capacity to understand. They don’t need abuse to do what they came to do because they are passionate about it in spite of all of the hardships including poverty level wages. Their bodies are their tools and they do what they can to keep them in the best working order possible. Shaming doesn’t mean that the person being shamed is in any way at fault.
So, while it may be true that the culture is often a sick one, these people are making a concerted effort to change that culture for the better.
I don’t think it could’ve been said any better. Well done.
they signed up for it….. i can compare it to professional sports like football or basketball …. u want a new coach to come in here and let the players run the team or do you need that leader that knows and has a plan of action for his new team…. #spoiledBrats
They should do an interpretive dance.. call it Fear Knot
It would prove interesting to know more about the demographics of the seven who complained. What are their ages? What does their professional resume reveal? How long have they been training? And why did only seven sign the letter and not the entire troupe? Were members of both sexes represented?
We can only guess the responses to these questions and will never know whether Mr. Shives was merely a stern disciplinarian to disgruntled members or a cruel bully as alleged. As an outsider, I only note that the ballet company appears to be in a constant state of upheaval and disarray. Did the board who hired him do any sort of background research on temperament and reputation in his career? It seems there is too much that is either missing or has not been reported.
It was actually 23 dancers that signed a general letter, 7 dancers wrote personal accounts. Age ranges from 20-40. Some that have danced in many larger companies. Most dancers remaining did not sign, mostly because they were afraid of backlash from the now former director.
I don’t really think that it’s understood that if you want to be a professional and be good at it, especially in dance, ballet or whatever art of dance it is…you need to have a great leader that controls the group. Constructive criticism is a must, even if it’s to remind them that individual need to stay in dance shape
Look, in a professional company the company alone pays for costumes to fit that one dances. If they gain a few pounds, I get it. But, their is a more proper way to tell a lay you have gained weight. Don’t plain out say,” YOUR FAT!!!” You can just politely tell them to add more cardio to their day so they do not look winded on stage.
But at the same time, a ballet dancer should know to eat right and stay fit.