Dancers from the New York City Ballet (NYCB) staged a boycott during the recent Fall Fashion Gala, protesting stalled contract negotiations and advocating for pay increases. This decision, announced just one hour before the event, drew attention to ongoing concerns about compensation and working conditions within the company.
The dancers, affiliated with the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), emphasized their critical role within the organization and expressed feelings of being undervalued. Despite their absence from the gala’s red carpet and dinner, they honored their commitment to perform during the event, which is known for attracting high-profile attendees, including Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband Matthew Broderick, as well as celebrities like Julia Fox and Mick Jagger.
In a letter sent to NYCB management, AGMA members stated, “While we wish we could celebrate with the donors who help make this institution so great, the artists cannot celebrate when our needs have not been met.” The dancers collectively decided to boycott the dinner to convey their message about feeling undervalued, hoping their absence would send a strong signal to management.
These negotiations have been ongoing since May, with the previous three-year contract expiring on August 31. The union members were still in discussions with company management as recently as October 6, 2023. The dancers are primarily seeking compensation increases to address rising living costs in New York. They indicated that the management’s recent economic proposals “fall far short” of what AGMA artists at similar companies have secured over the past year.
Prominent dancers including Gilbert Bolden III, Megan Fairchild, and Unity Phelan endorsed the letter, highlighting the solidarity among the company members from corps de ballet to principal dancers. While the gala proceeded with over 800 guests, reports indicated that several seats designated for the dancers remained empty, prompting some attendees to notice the absence.
In response to the boycott, Diana L. Taylor, chair of the ballet’s board of directors, remarked, “They are going to do what they want to do. It is what it is.” She acknowledged the dancers’ performances but expressed sadness over their absence from the gala festivities. A spokesperson for NYCB confirmed that the event proceeded as planned and affirmed the management’s commitment to returning to the bargaining table to reach a resolution.
Principal dancer Megan Fairchild, who has been with the company for over two decades and announced her retirement earlier this year, took to social media to share her perspective on the negotiations. She expressed disappointment that the organization, which is fundamentally built on the artistry of its dancers, does not seem to acknowledge their efforts to advocate for better conditions. Fairchild noted that artistic leadership had skipped speeches before the performance, which typically celebrate the funds raised during the gala, usually exceeding a million dollars.
“The artists are asking for the bare minimum,” Fairchild stated. She underscored the importance of ensuring respect for current and future dancers, emphasizing that this situation marks a significant escalation in their efforts. “Everyone should be talking about this because the dancers matter,” she concluded, urging for a reevaluation of how the organization values its core contributors.
The situation has sparked conversations about the broader implications for artistic institutions in balancing financial stability with fair compensation for their artists. As negotiations continue, both the dancers and management face the challenge of finding common ground that respects the contributions of those who bring the performances to life.
