What has sustained your working relationship with MMDG over the years?
It was particularly meaningful to have Mark, Nancy, and the company with us for the celebration of our 20th anniversary. Having collaborated on a number of projects throughout the years, we have built a mutually rewarding partnership that serves our respective organizations in advancing our goals and building audiences in the region. Our audiences have become accustomed to the level of artistry that MMDG brings and expect to see the company return in years to come.

You chose to include our evening-length work Acis and Galatea in the Festival’s stellar 20th anniversary lineup. How was it received?
Mark’s knowledge of music and ability to make dance that is so deeply rooted in the music took our audience on an Acis and Galatea journey of love they will long remember. MMDG’s commitment to outstanding music is just as important as its creativity in dance. The piece is as much for dance lovers as music and opera lovers and makes Mark Morris Dance Group fans out of both.

How does MMDG assist in the Festival’s commitment to community engagement?
Mark Morris Dance Group’s Dance for PD® program created opportunities that have changed our community and the way people move in our community. Using the film, Capturing Grace, to introduce people to the program and collaborating with the Neighborhood Music School to offer a Dance for PD workshop, we were able to witness people of all ages and abilities come together, rediscover their bodies, and find strength within themselves.

Mark’s choreographic imagination is limitless; and, as prolific as his output is, what most fires our imagination is the sheer beauty of his dances. My desire for this audience – for any audience – is to experience the very best art the world has to offer. If Mark Morris can be a part of the program, then we’ve done our job.

Even at intermission it was apparent that enthusiasm for MMDG’s performance was very high; and after the show, which concluded with Grand Duo, the audience simply did not want to leave the building, so brimming with excitement as they were. Audience members expressed to me and members of my staff that they felt they were in the midst of something very special; a unique event that comes around infrequently; artistry that is very high; and an exception to their usual experience. It was especially gratifying for me to receive warm and keenly perceptive comments from the family representative of our dance series foundation sponsor.

The technical support from MMDG is tremendous. Johan Henckens (Technical Director), visited our hall several months in advance to consider the technical opportunities and limitations. He worked with our staff to devise solutions so that we could present the proposed program in its entirety without compromising the artistic integrity of the work. The company provided numerous dance classes and clinics, in support of the “Choreographers on Campus” initiative, both at Lafayette College and at other colleges and schools in the Lehigh Valley region; as well as a Dance for PD community class, which was warmly received. The participants in these classes – from high school students to seniors – felt very fortunate to benefit from the MMDG dancers’ expertise. This outreach contributed greatly to performance attendance.

At nearly half way through the season, the MMDG performance has been the only one to completely sell out. It was truly an honor to be able to present MMDG. Thank you.