Julian MacKay had been a member of Germany’s Bavarian State Ballet as a Principal Dancer since 2022. He is now pursuing legal action after he claims he found out the news he was fired via a public post on the company’s Instagram.
According to BR Klassik, the Bavarian State Ballet had contradicted MacKay’s claim, reporting that they shared the news only after MacKay had a meeting with the managing directors regarding his resignation on July 13. The post about the termination came half an hour later.
“Julian MacKay and the Bavarian State Ballet are parting ways with immediate effect,” read the following statement from the company. “The principal dancer is leaving the Munich company as of today, July 13, 2026, as he was personally informed this morning by the company’s management. We thank Julian MacKay for the past four seasons and wish him all the best for his future.”
MacKay shared a different view of the news with his 300k+ followers, saying that the termination came as he was on sick leave and after he had previously reported problems within the company to management and said he would resign if an investigation was not launched.
Born in the U.S. in 1997, MacKay trained at the Bolshoi Ballet School in Moscow. Most recently, he danced the “Grand Pas Classique” from Paquita in the multi-part evening “Constellations” at the Bavarian State Ballet as part of its final season premiere.
Citing legal reasons, the Bavarian State Ballet declined to comment on the reasons for the termination, BR24 reports, which added that a termination one week before the end of the season is highly unusual.
“After 4 years I was fired. Shocked to find this out through instagram. @bayerischestaatsoper @bayerischesstaatsballett,” MacKay shares. “After raising concerns about what I felt was misconduct and unfair treatment in the ballet department I asked theatre management for this to be looked into or I would resign.
“Instead this morning I was fired with immediate termination while I am on sick leave,” he explains. “This is not ok to treat artists this way and I will not be silent about abuse in my industry. I also think that it’s very telling that the comments on their announcement that they made this morning without my knowledge are turned off.”
MacKay has now confirmed on social media that he believes the termination was unlawful and that subsequent legal action will follow.
“After careful review I believe my contract was terminated unlawfully and I will be pursuing legal action,” he tells his followers. “Thank you all for your support in this very difficult time.”
