Twyla’s third week ended with dancers seated on the floor of Studio C in their street clothes. Jonathan Porretta brought wine, cheese, crackers, and yogurt-covered raisins. Twyla called this a town meeting and all were gathered to hear her talk about the early years of her career. Jordan Pacitti volunteered to do background research and provided a wealth of information, including names of works and dates of creation. We talked about the three-and-half-minute Tank Dive―that was all she had to say―and the very experimental Re-Moves, where dancers were concealed from view inside of a box.

The audacity and honesty of Twyla’s work became evident to the group with the constant balance of shunning commerciality and needing it to pay the rent. There were moments of incredible laughter during our conversation. An early tour to Europe needed production values such as unique lighting effects, so the dancers carried flashlights. Costumes ranged from the brilliant to the hysterical and utterly controversial. From time to time, recollections sent Twyla into fits of laughter, causing the rest of us to join in. A portrait emerged of a choreographer wanting to make a statement while needing to earn a living and never veering from course. Regardless of success, nothing was ever taken for granted. Our impression of the choreographer gradually became more real and human.

At this point in the rehearsal process, we can see both works. Next week, staff will be invited to watch run-throughs. This has a way of ramping up the dancers’ performance while informing and inspiring the staff. Curiosity has been remarkable around Twyla. She gives a lecture with dancers and orchestra on the 18th of September, two days prior to the preview of Opus 111. Ticket sales for the event are currently at twelve hundred, more than some of our performances.

Rehearsals are now done with a mock design of the set for Afternoon Ball, and several costumes appear here and there for both works. Stewart Kershaw is attending rehearsals regularly. Creative advertising is complete and posters are mounted on the front of the building. Ads hit the radio next week. Also coming up, Twyla will speak with our staff at my request about her work with us and throughout her career. She has been unbelievably generous with time and information. On to week four.