Awa singer4/2/2023 ![]() The investigation also involves the repertoire: "Outdated and discriminatory ways of performing" are to be exposed and "traditions are to be reviewed and re-evaluated with a different perspective and consciousness." The directorship is aware that "the ballet genre has marginalized people of color throughout its history." Protest against blackfacing in customs With a view to the future, there is "the opportunity to realign our company and look ahead, and to create a safe and appreciative atmosphere for all employees, from the corps de ballet to the first soloists to the production and administration team." That apparently is not the case, which is why an investigation is currently underway to reveal discriminatory behavior within the ensemble. Since December 2020, all state ballet employees have been able to anonymously get in touch with an external contact to report their own experiences and perceptions on the topic of discrimination. In a statement on the claims of racism, the State Ballet said: "All forms of discrimination and racism are unacceptable in our company." It was thought that its international diversity - after all, the company works with 91 dancers from more than 30 countries - would "already sufficiently sensitize people to problems of racism and discrimination." The current artistic directorate of the Berlin State Ballet did not want to comment on the case when questioned by DW. The Berlin State Ballet dancing 'La Bayadere' with the utmost precision and harmony Image: Yan Revazov 'Any form of discrimination not acceptable' Lopes Gomes had informed Öhman of the situation before he left, and she says that even though he was shocked by her statements, he also pointed out that the State Ballet's masters are protected by life contracts and that little could be done. On the other hand, dancers only have a one year renewable contract: "At the time, I was very worried that if he spoke to the ballet mistress about it, my case would get even worse," says the dancer, who only went public with the accusations against the Berlin ballet mistress when it was clear that her contract would not be renewed. "I felt very humiliated, but above all, I was very surprised that she felt no fear of being punished," recalls the 29-year-old Frenchwoman. After Öhman left the Berlin State Ballet in December 2019, however, the ballet mistress reportedly demanded that Lopes Gomes do just that. ![]() It's an explosive topic since whitefacing, or making Black people appear white using make-up, violated the ballet's house policy under former artistic director Johannes Öhman, as other people of color also dance in the company. The ballet mistress is said to have repeatedly racially discriminated against her, for instance, by demanding that Lopes Gomes apply white makeup for Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake. The French dancer has been working at the Berlin State Ballet since 2018 - as the first and to date only Black member. "During those two and a half years, I was under the supervision of a ballet mistress who said that ballet should not take me because I am Black and a woman of color in a 'corps de ballet' is something that is not aesthetic, not homogeneous," Lopes Gomes told DW in December 2020. "She made racist jokes and comments." Chloe Lopes Gomes had complained publicly that she had repeatedly heard racist comments from her ballet mistress. ![]() Worldwide, the case of the dancer had caused quite a stir. ![]() "In the current situation there is also a great opportunity for change, it's a wake-up call," she added. "I regret the experiences of discrimination described by Chloe Lopes Gomes, which we take very seriously and are thoroughly dealing with." "I am pleased that we were able to reach an agreement today and thus end the legal dispute," said Christiane Theobald, the company's acting artistic director. Whether these were linked to racist motives would have had to be proven in court. The ballet company had originally justified the non-renewal of the ensemble dancer's contract on artistic grounds. Now the State Ballet and the dancer have agreed to a court settlement: The ballerina will stay with the State Ballet for another year and receive a compensation payment of €16,000 ($19,240). ![]() She felt discriminated against because of the color of her skin. Since December 2020, all state ballet employees have been able to anonymously get in touch with an external contact to report their own experiences and perceptions on the topic of discrimination.Ĭhloe Lopes Gomes filed a lawsuit in 2020 against the expiration of her temporary contract. ![]()
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