By Allegra T. Jacobs
The Russians have not only interfered in last year’s election, but they may also be undermining one of our most valued cultural institutions: the Joffrey Ballet. Many radical changes, made mostly by Russian staff, have turned the Joffrey into a money-making enterprise, not unlike a Trump University scam.
This year, it moved much of its training program from its traditional 6th Avenue location to an abandoned warehouse in Long Island City. The building often has no heat. Students try to dance in jackets, hats, and gloves. This creates a dangerous situation for the dancers, who are prone to accidents when their muscles cannot warm up. When it is too cold to hold classes in the studios, they are held in the reception space where dancers have to work on awkward Lego-type rubber floors.
Located in an inaccessible area of Long Island City, it is a long walk from the subways to the studio. Changing rooms are small and dirty. The fire alarm goes off frequently, floors are very slippery and have no spring; pianists are late much of the time. Additionally, poor interior design has students interrupting other classes in order to exit the studio.
To promote itself, the Joffrey formed the Joffrey Elite and created sophisticated public relations videos. However, the standard of admission seems based on the student’s ability to write a steep tuition check—$160,000 for four years—and to pay extra, required fees. These include a $300 performance fee, but there are no costumes to keep, and you have to pay separately for videos and pictures.
Many dancers from the original concert group have left because the director, Ballet Master Davis Robertson, was fired. Most of the original teachers have also been fired and the Joffrey repertoire has changed. Only Russian ballet technique is taught and students complain that the new Russian teachers can be verbally abusive. Over 20 students have left this year.
Teachers promise careers in dance to students, but the competition is very high in New York City. Many students are admitted without the physical talent and ability to survive the demanding ballet training. This results in physical injuries and increased absences. The Joffrey’s promises are seen as a marketing scheme since, in reality, few will have a chance at professional careers in dance. International students come one semester, take loans, and often leave disappointed. Some viewers of recent performances see it as a disaster.
These new impresarios capitalize on the Joffrey name and are scamming people. It’s nut all what it’s cracked up to be!
Interesting that you say all this, yet you have no specific resources listed… a good writer knows to provide facts, interviews, etc. to strengthen their argument. You have taken things out of context and have no idea what is actually going on at the school.
The opening sentence of this article is priceless. Yes. Let’s stereotype all the Russians. Let’s make sweeping generalization without providing a shred of evidence…
How about providing the list of these nefarious Russian teachers? Some interviews with the students maybe? Nah…Too much work. The Russians &__$ it up again. That’s all that matters.
The Joffrey is based Chicago. When was this article written?
I find this article enraging as a lot of this information is incorrect. The heating has now been fixed, we dance on regular dance floors. yes most of the teachers are Russian, but they are amazing and to be clear, there was excactly 1 class held in the reception space… after my first year I left to go to a different school with a better reputation, just to see what else was out there but after being away for a year I decided to go back to Joffrey and I’m so glad I did! So please don’t say anything if you don’t know what you’re talking about…
I happen to know a faculty member who refuted most of what was written in this article. I would be a bit more careful with what you print. I think we’ve all had our fill of fake news lately.
This is NOT the original and true Joffrey Ballet which is located in Chicago and affiliated with the company.
The above article about “Joffrey Ballet”, located in New York, should not confuse readers that it is about ‘The Joffrey Ballet’ in Chicago. From the Joffrey Ballet (Chicago) website, “Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, is the only training program owned, operated or endorsed by The Joffrey Ballet. The Joffrey Ballet is not affiliated with any other dance training or school program, including the Joffrey Ballet School in New York. The Joffrey Academy, located in the Exelon Education Center at Joffrey Tower in Chicago, Illinois is the only school that follows the organizational mission, training syllabi, and artistic vision of The Joffrey Ballet. No other program, including those holding the Joffrey name, is sanctioned by The Joffrey Ballet. For more information, please contact Academy Reception at 312.784.4600.
This writer has no credentials. She doesn’t even know that the Joffrey Ballet New York morphed into the Joffrey Ballet Chicago in the 1990’s. The Joffrey Ballet School was left behind, and separated from the parent company, and it is now completely autonomous. As former Artistic Director of the Joffrey Ballet School, NY, I confirmed the continuing employment of 2 Russian teachers, and added a third. All wonderful, caring and skilled instructors. They were just 3 out of a teaching staff of about 12 – the others were American, South African and in my case Australian. Americans were the majority of the teachers. But ballet is an international art form. You will find a variety of international teachers on the faculties of top ballet schools around the world. Including the Joffrey Academy in Chicago.
Mr. Joffrey must be rolling over in his grave at this desecration of his beloved school. When he was alive, he had a Russian teacher just once – for one week only – and never again because her method was diametrically opposed to his. She went on to become a faculty member at Balanchine’s School of American Ballet, where her work found a more congenial atmosphere. Generations of Joffrey dancers grew up at 434 Sixth Avenue and are devastated that it’s gone as a training ground for beautiful young American dancers. The old school gave scholarships to talented dancers; the new school bilks them of their money. How dare they call themselves a Joffrey school?
It’s been two years since this article was written. Does anyone have a current comment or opinion of the Joffrey Ballet School in NY? I understand it’s a different entity then the Academy in Chicago. However, how is it on it’s own. My daughter received a scholarship to attend the school in NY, am I making a mistake by sending her there for an intensive?
The Life of G did you ever get any more information. My daughter auditioned and was accepted for the jazz/contemporary division of Joffrey and offered to come train with them in NY full-time. She was not given a scholarship though.
Yes. I wouldn’t advise it. There is better training elsewhere. It is extremely abusive.