"I was just forced out," Smuin stated. "I spent 20 years of my life in this company and just now we are on the verge of bringing it to the next level and I'm not going to be a part of it. I've dedicated my life to it. I don't want to leave."

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The next day the company, accompanied by staff members, flew to Washington, D.C. Even corps members Gabrielle Thurlow, who broke four bones in her foot on Monday, and Hiroyuki Nagasawara, who had taken a fall from his bike the same day, came, using crutches and wheelchairs.

The dancers felt the importance of the journey. All were aware of the Holocaust, having studied it at one time or another in school, even those from foreign countries. Filipino dancer Christopher Ouellette related how his grandfather was involved in the Bataan Death March during World War II. Korean dancer Kwang-Suk Choi told of the Japanese invasion of his homeland at about the same time, with resulting atrocities.

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In that position, Kalagayan will be responsible for individual designated giving, the unrestricted annual fund, corporate giving, foundation and government grants, planned giving, special events and patron services. He also will provide support for endowment and special projects.

What does a ballet mistress do?

My prime concern is the corps de ballet and the female soloists, so that means taking rehearsals. I coach the girls when they've been injured, and sometimes if they want to improve in a certain area. I also ensure that when they go on stage, they look absolutely impeccable, that they take care of their shoes, their hair and their make-up. I give notes constantly – I watch every performance, so it's quality control. I've recently acquired a pair of magnificent goggles, so that I can see every last detail.

There are many ballet dancers who are women, but few women are allowed to be part of the upper echelons. And those who do are largely forgotten or ignored.

Since 2003 Ms. Shuler has been president and chief executive of City Center, the storied New York theater that was the first home of New York City Ballet and became essentially a rental space for dance companies after City Ballet departed for Lincoln Center. But she is also part of the theater’s dance history: she first performed there at 13, as Clara in Balanchine’s “Nutcracker,” and later danced there with the Joffrey Ballet. “When I got this job, it felt like coming home,” she said.

A year after her arrival she effectively altered the image of that home with one masterstroke: Fall for Dance, an annual smorgasbord of dance companies of all types, in a variety of programs, with every ticket costing $10.