Five Dancers Claim New York City Ballet Leader Peter Martins Was Physically, Verbally Abusive
LatestThe New York Times reported on Tuesday that five New York City City Ballet dancers (only one of them is still with the company), accused longtime City Ballet “master in chief” Peter Martins of physical abuse or threats against them and others who have worked with him.
Dancer and choreographer John Clifford told the Times that in 1987, while teaching a class, Martins allegedly grew angry with him and “slammed his fist into the wall about an inch from [Clifford’s] head.” Clifford described the altercation as “a violent, intimidating act,” adding that it frightened him.