This petition is from The Metropolitan Opera Dance Department and includes members of the chorus, administration and directorship roles; it is written as an expression of solidarity after the recent and sudden offer of Joseph Fritz's suggested retirement.
We are proud of the Met's heritage of sustaining dance as an integral part of the great opera productions. No other opera house has the caliber of our in-house dance company as does the Metropolitan Opera, and it happened by the lineage of strong leaders throughout the years.
The suggestion of early retirement and departure of our long-standing leader, Joe Fritz, comes with great shock and disappointment. The departure of a leader who has the understanding of the workings of the house needs to be taken with great seriousness. Joe's ability to guide and communicate with stage hands, directors, chorus and musicians in a calm and even-tempered manner is a pivotal piece of the production puzzle. He is integral in both the rehearsal and performance process. The departure of this director is the loss of knowledge of choreography, personnel, union challenges, and structure.
In these times of financial uncertainty we need the vast experience and integrity that he brings to the entire Metropolitan Opera organization. Anything less creates a waste of time and resource/money by its lack of efficiency.
Because we cannot imagine the catastrophe of Joe's absence, we petition for Joe to remain in the position as long as he wishes, and that his position in the house be preserved.
Updates
October 7, 2017
im still getting so many messages from people across the opera house about how much joe does behind the scenes that most people never see. we are working on the next steps to bring this directly to the decision makers so they understand how crucial he is to our daily operations.
October 7, 2017
im honestly blown away by how much traction this has gained so quickly. its clear how many of us value joe and the work he does to keep the house running smoothly.
54 Comments
Working at The Met has always been a professional and pleasant experience, this is all because of Joe's professional, kind and fair approach to his dancers. Needless to mention his comprehensive knowledge about the day to day operation in the house. I hope you will reconsider the early retirement offer.
I have known Joe since 1990 while I was a student at NJBallet, and I am currently now in the ballet company and on faculty in our ballet school. He was one of my teachers and was filled with a wealth of knowledge and leadership and if it weren’t for teachers and mentors like him, we would have no future.
Please keep Joseph Fritz as dance director at The MET. I have known Joe for 35 years and we were partners at New Jersey Ballet for five of those years. His experience is invaluable to your company and you wod be hard pressed to find a better person to put in his place!
Joe is the heart of the Dance Dept at the MET. Always professional, supportive and caring. Goes above and beyond making sure the dancer's concerns are addressed, we feel safe and only have to worry about doing our job.
Joe Fritz is in the prime of his career as director and administrator, integral to the smooth operation of this company. The offer of early retirement to Joe is as disturbing as it is shocking. He brings a vast storehouse of experience and knowledge of the house, staff, procedures and repertory to this organization which would be impossible to replicate.
Joe is a stellar instructor! I took master classes from him at NJ Ballet many years ago and he always paid so much attention to me in class. I really appreciated that - it helped so much!
did joe fritz retire, quit, or fired?
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This petition is from The Metropolitan Opera Dance Department and includes members of the chorus, administration and directorship roles; it is written as an expression of solidarity after the recent and sudden offer of Joseph Fritz's suggested retirement.
We are proud of the Met's heritage of sustaining dance as an integral part of the great opera productions. No other opera house has the caliber of our in-house dance company as does the Metropolitan Opera, and it happened by the lineage of strong leaders throughout the years.
The suggestion of early retirement and departure of our long-standing leader, Joe Fritz, comes with great shock and disappointment. The departure of a leader who has the understanding of the workings of the house needs to be taken with great seriousness. Joe's ability to guide and communicate with stage hands, directors, chorus and musicians in a calm and even-tempered manner is a pivotal piece of the production puzzle. He is integral in both the rehearsal and performance process. The departure of this director is the loss of knowledge of choreography, personnel, union challenges, and structure.
In these times of financial uncertainty we need the vast experience and integrity that he brings to the entire Metropolitan Opera organization. Anything less creates a waste of time and resource/money by its lack of efficiency.
Because we cannot imagine the catastrophe of Joe's absence, we petition for Joe to remain in the position as long as he wishes, and that his position in the house be preserved.
Updates
October 7, 2017
im still getting so many messages from people across the opera house about how much joe does behind the scenes that most people never see. we are working on the next steps to bring this directly to the decision makers so they understand how crucial he is to our daily operations.
October 7, 2017
im honestly blown away by how much traction this has gained so quickly. its clear how many of us value joe and the work he does to keep the house running smoothly.
54 Comments
Joe makes the Met Ballet department work seamlessly despite yearly cutbacks. He tackles this task with the utmost efficiency yet manages to ensure that every dancer is treated in a respectful and professional manner. I cannot imagine the Metropolitan Opera without Joe Fritz.
Working at The Met has always been a professional and pleasant experience, this is all because of Joe's professional, kind and fair approach to his dancers. Needless to mention his comprehensive knowledge about the day to day operation in the house. I hope you will reconsider the early retirement offer.
I have known Joe since 1990 while I was a student at NJBallet, and I am currently now in the ballet company and on faculty in our ballet school. He was one of my teachers and was filled with a wealth of knowledge and leadership and if it weren’t for teachers and mentors like him, we would have no future.
Please keep Joseph Fritz as dance director at The MET. I have known Joe for 35 years and we were partners at New Jersey Ballet for five of those years. His experience is invaluable to your company and you wod be hard pressed to find a better person to put in his place!
Joe is the heart of the Dance Dept at the MET. Always professional, supportive and caring. Goes above and beyond making sure the dancer's concerns are addressed, we feel safe and only have to worry about doing our job.
Joe Fritz is in the prime of his career as director and administrator, integral to the smooth operation of this company. The offer of early retirement to Joe is as disturbing as it is shocking. He brings a vast storehouse of experience and knowledge of the house, staff, procedures and repertory to this organization which would be impossible to replicate.
Joe is a stellar instructor! I took master classes from him at NJ Ballet many years ago and he always paid so much attention to me in class. I really appreciated that - it helped so much!
did joe fritz retire, quit, or fired?
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Joe makes the Met Ballet department work seamlessly despite yearly cutbacks. He tackles this task with the utmost efficiency yet manages to ensure that every dancer is treated in a respectful and professional manner. I cannot imagine the Metropolitan Opera without Joe Fritz.