WARNING: Photos of the dancers are extremely graphic.
Nick Lazzarini, a former dancer with the Washington Ballet, is no longer part of the company’s dance tours, amid accusations of sexual harassment.
The 33-year-old Lazzarini was charged with 23 counts of sexual battery in March for allegedly groping women he had worked with during at least four performances at the Kennedy Center during the 2018-19 season.
Lazzarini resigned from the Washington Ballet three days after charges were filed against him. He denied the charges, saying the charges were “completely baseless” and seeking a public defender.
His departure from the Washington Ballet also ended his contract with the Ballet Corps de Ballet, the ensemble he was serving in, reported CNN.
The Washington Ballet expressed its “deepest regret” about Lazzarini’s exit, reported the Washington Post.
Washington Ballet artistic director Roger Mussallem said in a statement that he chose not to continue his engagement with the company, and said it was out of “an abundance of caution.”
ROCUS Theatre’s new commission: ‘Paulette and the War Horse’ which premiered in Baltimore and is coming to Washington this month.