—————– Original Message —————–
From: &wtf;
Date: Mar 29,:30 PM

Dear Andrae,

I recently saw a video of “Bathroom Follies” on the website Project Rungay. I just wanted to tell you how offended I was that anyone could call that any type of dance at all. Dance is supposed to be beautiful movement, and really meaning something. Dancing is meant to tell a story, be it with a plot, or just to describe someone’s emotion. And don’t give me any of that, “I’m opening up new forms of dance” bullshit. You are a brilliant fashion designer, not a dancer or choreographer. Oh and tell that bitch ass boyfriend of yours that he should be stripped of his title of Choreographer and/or Dancer.

Thanks.

To this, I have the following response . . .

Dear Collin,

Indeed, this is a tragedy.

Let me begin by thanking you for your kind compliment of my design skills, despite your harsh criticism. I hope that some day you may have the opportunity to see that Mr. Benson’s skills as a choreographer are of a similar ilk, but for this, we shall need the grace of time.

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to have our entire show posted on Youtube, and I fear that even if we did, within the context of “Project Rungay”, it would still offend you. I truly wish that you had been able to see our piece, as you sound like someone that shares a kindred mindset with myself and Mr. Benson. In fact, I would suspect that you may be, or might have been, a dancer. Only someone who knew the art form on a very intimate level could summon the vitriol that you have expressed on it’s behalf. I write with the hope that you might indulge my explanation, and forgive the men of “Rungay” for the misrepresentation that has summoned your ire. I certainly have.

Like you, I also believe that dance is “supposed to be beautiful movement, and really meaning something”, and unfortunately, in this country, it neither gets the exposure nor the respect that it deserves. Ironically, this show was intended to address this very fact. In performance, the piece was intended to summon a common human connection between the performers and the audience by examining those dynamics which we all encounter in a public bathroom. The evening consisted of six different pieces, which progressed in their level of accessibility, from the vernacular of cliché “music video” movement, to pieces which drew from the now longstanding traditions of ballet and modern dance. We did not presume to “open up new forms of dance”, but rather attempted to use old forms of dance, in an unexpected way.

I still maintain that we were successful in our pursuit, particularly in the piece where a talented ballerina bludgeons to “death” a menacing piece of her own “emotional crap”. In fact, dear sir, your note makes me want to suggest that such a plunger might prove equally successful, in your own life. Naturally, I cannot do this, for in that regard, I live in a glass house.

Nevertheless, our intention was to access a glimpse of profundity with this piece, while simultaneously creating an evening of entertainment. Those that had the opportunity to see our dances seemed to understand what we were doing, and I sincerely regret that you were not in their number. We took great pains to create dance which would bring the audience on a journey with us, instead of alienating them, as so many ill-conceived dance pieces tend to do.

Since our short performance run, I’ve read many negative comments about our piece which suffer from the fact that the clips from the show have been abysmally misunderstood. This is par for the course, considering the fact that they have been exhibited out of context, and I regret that you have come to believe we are the enemies of something very dear to you. I can only swear to you that Mr. Benson and I are quite the contrary. With luck, and perhaps a little more funding, we may again have the opportunity to show you our true colors.

Until then, I send my kindest regards,

Andrae Gonzalo