> At a Glance
> – A former student is suing Richmond Ballet for $11.5 million
> – The 85-page complaint claims the school enabled years of abuse
> – This marks the third abuse allegation since 2022
> – Why it matters: The case exposes alleged systemic abuse at a premier arts institution
A former Richmond Ballet student has filed an $11.5 million lawsuit claiming the prestigious Virginia dance school fostered a culture of abuse that left her with permanent injuries.
The Allegations
The anonymous plaintiff, who trained at the ballet from 2007 to 2015, accuses staff of “multi-year sexual, physical, and psychological abuse and exploitation” beginning at age eight.
Her complaint details alleged practices including:
- Students receiving “fat letters” demanding weight loss
- Public weigh-ins as a requirement
- Underweight dancers receiving top performance roles
- A staff member telling a bulimic student she “looked good”
The lawsuit claims these practices contributed to the plaintiff developing anorexia, anxiety, and chronic lower back pain.
Pattern of Abuse
According to the filing, students were allegedly physically struck by instructors. One incident from 2014 describes a staff member threatening a student after she resisted his advances when he touched her thighs.
Richmond Ballet executive director Kathleen Holman responded to the Dec. 18 filing:
> “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.”
Holman noted the ballet recently learned of the lawsuit concerning “alleged incidents that occurred more than 10 years ago” and stated they will “zealously defend” their reputation.
Key Takeaways
- This is the third abuse complaint against Richmond Ballet since 2022
- Previous lawsuits made similar allegations about eating disorders and health issues
- The ballet has trained thousands of students over 50 years
- The case highlights ongoing concerns about abuse in competitive dance programs
The lawsuit seeks accountability for alleged systemic failures that the plaintiff claims caused lifelong physical and emotional damage.
