Patricia Barker Responds to All Those Royal New Zealand Ballet Rumors
The past few months have brought on a media storm surrounding accusations about the culture and employment practices at the Royal New Zealand Ballet. But it turns out, much of the reported information doesn’t tell the whole story.
Caught up in the rumors has been newly hired artistic director Patricia Barker. The former Pacific Northwest Ballet star and concurrent director of Grand Rapids Ballet took over RNZB last June, and although the most troubling aspects of what has been reported, such as accusations of abusive behavior and other workplace grievances, pre-date her appointment, some complaints have been directed at her.
The board of RNZB said in a press release last month: “Recent speculation about the culture and employment practices of the RNZB are troubling and unfair.” To further address such allegations, the board has arranged for an independent review of RNZB’s employment processes.
