New York City Ballet has selected an interim leadership team pending an internal investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Peter Martins, its ballet master in chief, the company announced on Saturday.
Earlier this week, Mr. Martins, 71, requested and was granted a temporary leave of absence in the wake of an accusation made in an anonymous letter sent to City Ballet and the School of American Ballet.
The group overseeing the artistic management of City Ballet will be led by Jonathan Stafford, a ballet master and former principal dancer with the company. Joining him will be Justin Peck, City Ballet’s resident choreographer and soloist, along with Craig Hall and Rebecca Krohn, both ballet masters.
“It was the board’s absolute priority to provide ongoing support and stability for the company’s extraordinary artists,” Charles W. Scharf, City Ballet’s chairman, said in a statement. “We are very fortunate to have an exceptional artistic staff already in place, who will now work closely with Jonathan, Justin, Craig and Rebecca to ensure that our dancers and musicians will continue to give the remarkable performances that they present night after night.”
Mr. Scharf also expressed confidence that this team, together with City Ballet’s executive director Katherine Brown and the rest of the staff “will have the leadership, guidance, and resources it needs to continue to create the unparalleled artistic product that our audiences expect.”
During the investigation, Mr. Martins, the longtime leader of New York City Ballet, has also been removed from teaching his weekly class at the School of American Ballet.
Continue reading the main story
