Former Richmond Ballet student sues for $11.5 million, accuses ballet of abuse

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A former Richmond Ballet student has filed an $11.5 million lawsuit accusing the ballet company's staff of encouraging and allowing an abusive culture, including assault and negligence.

The plaintiff, who is staying anonymous, is suing the ballet for $11.5 million and has filed an 85-page civil complaint in Richmond Circuit Court on Dec. 18. The former student's lawyers argue that the staff members have failed to protect students and allowed harmful behavior to persist. These offenses include assault and negligence.

Attending the School of Richmond Ballet between 2007 and 2015, the anonymous student alleges the current and former ballet staff had a hand in creating the abuse culture for her and others -- what is described as a "multi-year sexual, physical, and psychological abuse and exploitation" in court documents.

The former dancer is the third person in the last five years to publicly claim abuse.

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Over the years, she said she experienced persistent lower back pain, anorexia and severe anxiety.

The court documents claim the exploitation, intimidation and harassment led to increased risk of osteoporosis, heart issues and fertility issues, and that the ballet did not offer "reasonable care" for the anonymous plaintiff.

Instead, it said the ballet intimidated students, including students being physically struck on occasion.

The complaint also said, in 2014, one of the staff members required this former student to maintain an amount of body fat that the lawyers call "medically dangerous," or else she would not be offered lead roles.

Also in 2014, according to the complaint, the former student said a staff member put his hands in the gap of her thighs and would threaten her when she resisted.

This defendant is still listed as a faculty member on Richmond Ballet's website as of the evening of Monday, Jan. 5.

Lawyers for the former student also allege Richmond Ballet did not follow mandated reporting policies for employees who take part in abuse.

The suit said the pressures pushed the anonymous dancer to attempt suicide multiple times, noting that two staff members "sexually, physically, emotionally and psychologically abused Plaintiff and caused Plaintiff to suffer injuries from which she will never recover."

Attorneys for the anonymous plaintiff allege that the "dangerous culture" exploiting young students dates back to 1990.

8News reached out to the Richmond Ballet for comment.

The statement from Executive Director Kathleen Holman with the ballet is as follows:

The Richmond Ballet recently learned of lawsuit filed against it by a former student concerning alleged incidents that occurred more than 10 years ago. Our priority has always been to provide a safe and supportive environment for aspiring professional and recreational dancers alike, and we take this objective very seriously. The Ballet does not comment on pending litigation as a matter of policy.  We will investigate thoroughly and respond to the claims through our legal counsel when appropriate. Over our half century of training thousands of students, we have earned an excellent reputation and will zealously defend the School of Richmond Ballet, our faculty, and our staff. 

The anonymous student is requesting a jury trial.