WHISTLEBLOW features participatory somatic grounding, live poetry reading and panel discussion on how workplaces free from exploitation, abuse and harm are vital to artists’ health and well-being.

Arts leaders, institutional funders, individual donors, advocacy groups and government agencies each have a role to play in protecting artists and addressing harm equitably.

Kutak Rock LLP represents a collective of current and former employees of Heidi Duckler Dance (HDD) sharing critical concerns about the organization’s practices and their impact on those who have worked there.

Unfortunately, many of us have witnessed and endured unlawful behavior, harassment and a toxic workplace culture under Heidi Duckler and her husband, Daniel Rosenfeld.

The following issues demand immediate attention:

* Physical and Sexual Harassment: Both Duckler and Rosenfeld have engaged in harassment of dancers and employees during their tenure with the company.

* Financial Misconduct: Duckler has misreported her income on federal tax forms, misclassified employees as independent contractors and misused grant funds.

* Endangerment of Dancers: Duckler has placed dancers in physical danger during rehearsals and performances, failed to provide state-mandated workers' compensation insurance and misrepresented herself as choreographer, neglecting to appropriately credit her dancers for their work while taking credit for their choreography.

Our concerns are further compounded by the appointment of Drexel Heard II, a board member credibly accused of sexually harassing young staffers (link to detailed accusations: Drexel Heard alleged abuse). Heard's role in an environment involving young and vulnerable dancers raises significant safety concerns.

Despite raising these concerns with HDD’s Board of Directors, our documented evidence has been ignored, and those who have spoken out have faced retaliation. This failure to act has left us with no choice but to escalate the matter.

We have taken the following steps:

* Filed Reports with Authorities: We have reported HDD’s unlawful practices to the State of California Insurance Fraud Department and the California Attorney General’s Office - investigations are ongoing.

* Shared Testimonials: Over a dozen testimonials from affected artists and arts administrators have been posted on Glassdoor (linked below).

Our Requests:

To protect current and future dancers, our community is asking for your support for the following measures:

* Implementation of Protective Policies: HDD must establish and publish written grievance and anti-retaliation policies, publicly adopted by its Board, to safeguard employees and artists who report harm or unlawful behavior.

* Adoption of Recommendations: The artists have provided written recommendations in Glassdoor reviews which the Board must begin implementing immediately.

While our awarded NEA Challenge America grant was rescinded for alleged violation of the Trump administration's Executive Order prohibiting projects that promote "gender ideology" (our initiative includes artists from the LGBTQ+ community), your financial support allows us to secure legal and publicity services to defend these artists against retaliation from HDD, as well as travel and other expenses associated with their legal defense (e.g. appearing to testify at depositions, filing claims with state agencies, etc.)

Dancers are among the most vulnerable in our field, and we need your support to hold HDD accountable and ensure a safer environment for all.

Thank you for your support,

Artist Magnet Justice Alliance

(A photo of Duckler at one of her company's events)

** For additional context, here is a recent news article critiquing HDD’s impact on our community: LA Dance Chronicle article

** Kutak Rock is a leading US law firm with 550+ attorneys and locations coast to coast. The firm serves commercial and governmental clients in business and corporate, public finance, litigation and real estate law.

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