February 18, 2017

Dear Mobile Ballet Community:
Thank you for your support of our Ballet. As President of the Board of Directors of the Mobile Ballet, I
want to address some very valid concerns that have been expressed to me. Some of you have asked about
a lawsuit that was recently filed against ten Board Members and the Ballet’s Managing Director/
Development Director Karen Kennedy. The suit was filed by two directors, Monty Thull and Beverly
Davis, and a former director, Rhea Mostellar.
The lawsuit, which has been covered in various media outlets, is full of claims that are false and reckless.
It purports to have been brought for the benefit of Mobile Ballet. However, the lawsuit does not benefit or
serve the interests of the Ballet in any way. It is actually harmful to the organization and has wrongfully
besmirched ten loyal and committed volunteer board members and our Managing Director/Development
Director.
We see the lawsuit as an attempt by two directors with views different from the overwhelming majority of
the Board to usurp control of the Mobile Ballet. It is full of untrue, mean-spirited, and wholly
unwarranted statements. We plan to do the only thing you can do with such nonsense, to contest it
vigorously.
Given that the matter is in litigation, we will not be able to comment further on the lawsuit at this time;
however, we do want to assure you that your Board of Directors remains committed to providing superior
dance education and presenting quality performances. We also want you to know that this meritless
litigation will not deter or distract us from working to fulfill the Ballet’s mission.
We are excited about many upcoming Ballet events, including our Sleeping Beauty Tea on March 5, our
Discover Dance performance for over 850 registered students on March 10, and the public performances
of Sleeping Beauty on March 11 and 12. We are thrilled to welcome an outstanding Consulting Director,
Daniel Ulbricht, for Sleeping Beauty, as well as Olivia MacKinnon in the lead role of Aurora/Sleeping
Beauty and Zachary Catazaro as her Prince, all from the New York City Ballet. Plans are also underway
for our end-of-year Showcase on May 14, our Summer Session at both our Mobile and Eastern Shore
studios, and our 15th Annual Nutcracker Charity Ball in December.
We are fully committed to the Mobile Ballet’s vitality and growth which are important to all of us and our
community. We need, request, and greatly appreciate your continued support.
Sincerely,

Sandra Parker, M.D.
President, Mobile Ballet Board of Directors
4351 Downtowner Loop North ♦ Mobile, Alabama 36609
26436-B Kensington Place ♦ Daphne, Alabama 36526
website: www.mobileballet.org ♦ phone: 251-342-2241 ♦ fax: 251-343-8289 ♦ email: info@mobileballet.org