How a Snapshot from 1987 Became a Book Cover in 2020
In 1987, choreographer Margo Sappington came to Houston to set her dance “Rodin, mis en vie” on the world-famous Houston Ballet at the invitation of Artistic Director Ben Stevenson. Not knowing who she was, but attracted by her energy and persona, I introduced myself.
After finding out what she did and why she was in Houston, I asked if I could come to the studio and photograph the rehearsals as she taught them the ballet’s dances. I thought it would be for a couple of days, but I ended up working on the project for about six weeks. The project was engrossing, especially as I knew (and except for what I learned during this period) next to nothing about ballet or theater.
I am sure there were a lot of internal political lines I was crossing. I pretty much just ignored them unless someone very explicitly said ‘Don’t do that again!” Margo gave me strict instructions to keep quiet and to stay out of everyone’s way. I knew Ben Stevenson by reputation, and I knew who Li Cunxin and Janie Parker were, they were famous. Along with Margo, those three are certifiable geniuses.
It was a fun time.
One day, deep into the physically demanding rehearsals, as Margo was showing another dancer a step and a move, I noticed Li leaning up against Principal Dancer, Australian Mary McKendry, and the tender way she held him, so I quickly shot a single frame. I got the impression that no one yet knew they were a couple, or if they did, it was kept very private.
After the Production opened, as thank-you gifts for letting me into their elite world, I made prints and gave them to the company’s members.
Over the next few years, I had a couple of more opportunities to photograph the Houston Ballet for other projects. Since they already had a couple of other outstanding photographers working for them, guys I was friendly with, I never pursued the Houston Ballet as a client and treated the project as just another in a series of great one-off learning experiences my career as a photographer has been filled with.
Cut to May 2020 when I get a phone call from Brisbane Australia. It’s Li Cunxin calling me! Wow!
We talked for a bit and caught up. Li tells me how much he and Mary have cherished that photograph over the years. Now Mary has written a memoir, and the publisher would like to use my photo as the cover. Now I’m not just awestruck but honored and thrilled.
The only problem: after three days of searching I couldn’t find the negative. So we discussed how best to scan the print that they have. I negotiate a usage fee with the publishers, and “Mary’s Last Dance: The Untold Story of The Wife of Mao’s Last Dancer” will be published in September, 2020 by Penguin Australia.
