"Ballet is Woman" George Balanchine
Anyone who holds on to the ability to see beauty never grows old." Franz Kafka
The public recently gave well over 15,000 signatures requesting for New York City Ballet to hire Wendy Whelan as Artistic Director.
She would be the first female director in the long history of this prominent ballet company, but more importantly, she is extraordinarily qualified as an artist, leader, teacher, visionary, and human.
To build upon this public sentiment, this petition is to make not only a written commitment to urge to turn this social dream to reality, but to make a commitment of ACTION.
Therefore, New Yorkers especially (and, worldwide, those visit the city regularly and would commit to shows as possible) are asked to make a pledge of impact.
We are asking signers to make a verbal statement with this petition that this monumental change would be significant enough to compel them, if financially able, to become season ticket holders during at least the first year of her tenure, and ideally permanently, given the increased beauty, vision, and vast success we believe Wendy would bring, should this incredible woman be hired for this post.
For those who can not afford such a commitment, we ask you to commit to what you can do. Your signature represents a pledge to do the best you can, whether that means season passes for you and yours, attendance at one show, or anything between.
Should the vision come true, and Wendy is offered and takes the post, then a follow up fund-raiser will be created to lend support to New Yorkers who can not afford the price of this verbal pledge.
This fundraiser will include donated items as well as a plea for straight donations to support the cause of bringing more of the public interest back to the artform. This artform is sorely in need of feminine energy and new ideas, whilst retaining its respect for the past as well.
We are hoping that those who hold the keys to the glorious possibility in front of them, of hiring Wendy Whelan as their new Art Director, will recognize the power of public interest, of listening respectfully to audiences and considering their perspectives and the beauty of diversifying and updating a legend of a company. Wendy is a legendary ballerina and a person loved far and wide for her demeanor, luminary career, and her character.
The public already has cried out seeking this sublime, powerful, and legendary woman for artistic leadership, to continue while elevating this company's glorious leap into the 21st century.
Please sign and give your spoken word that you will be a new or continuing member of the audience of this extremely visible internationally renowned company. Whether you can do this on your own or will need help to achieve the commitment, that will be the next step.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Former NYCB principal dancer Wendy Whelan via kdhx.org
