Sophie Flack

Sophie, this comment is coming rather late in the day, but -- thank you for your extraordinary honesty about an incredibly painful situation. May wonderful new experiences come your way -- I know they will.

How brave of you, Sophie, To "out" the inner world of NYC Ballet and the concentrated pursuit of a career as a professional ballet dancer. Having recently read an interview with the former ABT dancer-who now has a featured role in FINIAN'S RAINBOW on Broadway-I was struck by quite a few similarities in content shared by both ladies-being referred to as "kids"; the lack of any orientation, so to speak, to assist the average teenager who is hired for a company, to deal with the "world" of ballet.

Best of luck to you Sophie in the new phase of your life. NYCB might have been your dream, but there are hundreds of wonderful companies in the US that would love to have you as a dancer!

This person sounds like a child. She exhibits a pouty piece of art instead of effective behavior. She's twenty-five, which has always been a maturity divide, but she comes off as a privileged teen.

my daughter had the same thing happen in another ballet company!(laid off) she too was deeply hurt. her self esteem was trashed! she pulled herself up and she auditioned (her biggest fear was... that they were correct...and she is not "strong enough"). they were wrong. much interest was generated from a couple of the biggest companies in the country! and she found work.

i think the article in the new york times spelled out the emotions of ballet dancers really well. miami city ballet pulled the same thing letting go of 8 dancers and hiring apprentices! the dancers received their notices in the mail!

Sophie,I have waited years to have someone talk about what goes on in that building.Being an ex City Ballet dancer myself Iknow what you say is true,only there is so much more that went on and continues to do so.I quit one day because I couldn't take the verbal and physical abuse anymore.Peter is a disgusting example of a human being and shame on the board for covering up all his crimes.When will someone stop the maddness...

No true dancer could read your interview and see the video without weeping with you. Best of luck Sophie. You have it all and more is in store for you.

I deeply admire this woman's courage and spirit. Thank you for your art, Sophie.

How about starting a dance school?

OK...one door closes, another one opens. If you truly want to keep dancing, NYCB isn't the only excelent co. in the world, not even the only excellent Balanchine co. in the country. If you choose not to leave NYC, that's part of your choice. You aren't so old that you couldn't give contemporary ballet a go, a la Cedar Lake, tho I don't agree about their coreorgraphers. Artists & management rarely see eye to eye, so second guessing doesn't help. You have an opportunity here...use it wisely.

I understand your frustration, Sophie, but don't burn bridges...

Good for you Sophie. My years from 5 years old to 18 was a little similar to yours. I made a conscious decision at 18 to stop ballet (was one of the hardest decisions I had to make at that point in my life). I wanted to pursue an education b/c I knew deep in my heart that the ballet world that I fell in love with as a young girl was not the ballet world as a profession. I saw the red flags very early. You seem like a very talented woman and you will be just fine! Cherish the good memories!

You go girl! I really admire your courage and the strength in which you've handled yourself. I've heard that 15 dancers left NYCB...incredible! But you don't have to worry...You'll rock in wherever life takes you!

What a wonderful interview. I had a recent experience similar to Sophie (I was not laid off in such terms) and for a much smaller company, but many of the emotions, fears and frustrations are 100% the same. It is scary leaving any job for any reason, but being a dancer and the passions that come with it can really mess with your head. Thank you for this article!

Reading the last comment, I'm only left to think that you are taking out your issues on Sophie. Sophie: you have an amazing heart. Never stop believing in yourself.....

You want people to take you seriously in this article yet you make a video or yourself kissing a sponge? Sounds to me like you never really let go of Mom's hand and walked down the stairs to the gym.

let's get this straight: you don't wanna be reffered to as a kid but you paint pissed off portraits with neon and sparkles. You're interested in edgier dance yet you only ever optionally trained with classical teachers.This is all you ever wanted yet you're giving up because of a simple lay-off instead of auditioning elsewhere. You wanted more roles yet, in your meeting with Peter you couldn't even believe in yourself enough to say it in a non "whimpery" voice. con't...

Fellow ballet dancer here.....and it appears that you were too MUCH of an artist to be in a place that wanted you to be this "robot". Things are a blessing in disguise sometimes and you never now whats possible in this dance life of yours. Keep going. Get your degree and keep reaching. You have a voice and maybe its actually time that you go out and find people who will help you express that. Good Luck!

Bravo, Sophie - happy graduation!

As a total outsider reading this interview, my first thought is, why don't you go dance for another company? You're biggest complaint w/NYCB is that they should try different choreography. So why don't you do that somewhere else since NYCB is no longer an option now? You obviously have the talent, and if dance is all you ever wanted, does it really have to be NYCB or nothing? It seems like you still have so much more to offer the dance world at large.

You absolutely will be missed, Sophie; you have been a delight onstage. And thank you for your courage in this interview. I've been watching NYCB for 30+ years, and this layoff upset and angered me. I too am distressed that the company did not try other options. And if none were viable, why cut only from the corps, the hardest working and least paid? It seems unfair, unwise and unprofessional; we all could have expected better. The best of luck to you, Ms. Sophie Flack.

Really interesting and honest and heartfelt. I congratulate Sophie for her wisdom, courage, and artistry. I hope we'll be seeing alot more of sophie's artistic endeavors in the near future.

Lovely video--lots of great detail--nice quiet story. Thanks Time Out and thanks Sophie Flack...