Murky Fringe (MF): How would you describe yourselves to someone who has never heard of The Alvin Aliey American Dance Theater?
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT): We are a modern dance company out of New York with–
MF: Is dance dead?
AAADT: [shrugs] We don’t understand. Are you asking about choreography?
MF: I’m asking if all the great dances have been danced. Is dancing dead?
AAADT: Dancing is not a product. You can’t compare a cell phone to laughter.
MF: I wasn’t.
AAADT: A movement within choreography can evolve and regress; but dancing is permanent. It’s fundamentally human…such as laughter.
MF: Interesting. I think you’re wrong, but let’s move on. Is mastadon a dirty word?
AAADT: No.
MF: Do you boil your water?
AAADT: No.
MF: You should. Let’s talk rivalries. Who is your most bitter rival? Is it KISS as some people say?
AAADT: No. That is a rock group. We are a dance company.
MF: Does KISS stand for Knights In Satan’s Service?
AAADT: You’d have to ask KISS.
MF: But it could stand for Knights In Satan’s Service.
AAADT: Yes. It could also stand for Kids In Silver Suits.
MF: No, I’m pretty sure that’s not it.
AAADT: Again, you’d have to ask KISS.
MF: Do rain dances work?
AAADT: Are you asking about aboriginal dances? Ceremonial dances?
MF: Yes.
AAADT: We have no idea, but whether it rains or not is secondary to the dancing itself.
MF: Again we can agree to disagree. Has Tai Chi lost its relevance?
AAADT: No.
MF: When the curtain goes up and the performance begins, do you ever think about Stephen Hawking and that awful computer voice of his? Does that sound echo through your mind, no matter how hard you try to focus on your movements? In other words, are you haunted by that voice, not just because it is robotic and inhuman, but also because Stephen Hawking is British yet his robot voice has no accent?
AAADT: Never. And no.
MF: Who inspires you?
AAADT: Well, Alvin Ailey to begin with.
MF: How about Duke Ellington?
AAADT: Yes.
MF: And the poet Langston Hughes?
AAADT: Yes, of course. Our inspiration comes from many places.
MF: Like Vermont.
AAADT: Well, we’re sure Vermont has plenty to inspire us.
MF: Finally, what’s one thing you’ve never told anyone?
AAADT: We did a show once in–
MF: Mastadon!
