Michelle Fleet is simply a standout dancer and a standout person. Fleet, along with other members of the Paul Taylor Dance Company, returns to the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on March 5 with the premiere of Taylor’s 138th dance, “Perpetual” Dawn, and a host of revivals.
Amsterdam News: From where you are in the world of dance today, do you often think about the early years?
Michelle Fleet: Yes. I’ve come a long way from growing up in the Bronx, going to dance class every Saturday at Five Points Cultural Arts Center and having recitals. My mentor and teacher was Lee “Aca” Thompson. He pretty much taught me everything. He taught us about discipline, pride in what we do, being honest with ourselves and being respectful of one another. I started there when I was about 4 or 5; I stopped going when I entered high school.
AmNews: Do you remember your first performance?
MF: I do! I remember the tap number, “On the Good Ship Lollipop,” for which we had huge lollipops, pretty tap shoes and tutus, and the ballet piece, during which I was dragged on stage in a split by my partner! (laughs)
AmNews: Many years after, you attended and graduated from Purchase College with a B.F.A. in dance. What were those years like?
MF: Eye opening! I knew that I wanted to experience college life away from the city and that was my first choice. The teachers there were amazing, and I danced with my peers. For my senior project, I performed one of Bill T. Jones’ solo “Some Songs: ‘Ne me quitte pas.’” I learned it from [company member] Maya Saffirn. I did a summer workshop with Bill T. Jones and needed to find a repertory as part of the requirement for seniors. [Jones] suggested that I do the solo in silence and then to the music. As a student, you are always looking for music and trying to do more when simplicity is enough, and performing it in silence spoke volumes; it fed me as a dancer.
AmNews: You received a B.F.A. from Purchase and then went on to an M.B.A. in business. Why?
MF: My mom taught me to do what I love and to always have a backup plan. I knew in my heart that I was going to dance, but I have other interests and decided it would be good to get my M.B.A. in business management. I love learning. I got my M.B.A. through a correspondence course during my second to third year in the main company. I was determined to complete the backup plan.
AmNews: You completed your BFA in 1999 and started Taylor 2 the same year?
MF: I totally did! I graduated from Purchase, and the audition for the second company was the following week.
AmNews: Can you share one highlight of the audition?
MF: Oh yes! I’ll share two. I was told that the audition for the main company was on a Friday. So I went to classes during the week to get acclimated. [That Thursday] it was packed, and a lady at the front desk said, “Go next door. Some of the company members are taking ballet. Go take ballet with them, and maybe you can watch rehearsal after.” I did, but it was the day of the audition [laughs]. I thought it was [Friday] … they said, “No, honey, it’s today!” And I said, “But so-and-so told me it was Friday!” And they said, “Oh that silly boy.” I didn’t have the unitard I wanted to wear, my headshot or my resume. They said, “Don’t worry, we’ll take a Polaroid. Go warm up.” I thought, “Well, Chelle, all you can do is just have fun.”
Another funny thing is the callbacks were on Friday, Monday and Tuesday. We learned a lot of repertory and he made his decision but didn’t tell anyone until Wednesday. I was getting my apartment squared away because I just graduated and was [supposed] to be at rehearsal by 12 o’clock, when he would announce who he was taking into the company. I remember using a pay phone–who uses a pay phone now?–to call the office to say, “I’m on my way. I’m so sorry; I had to pay my rent.” I got there and he said “Oh, do you want to join the second company?” I said “Of course.” (laughs) I’ll never forget that.
AmNews: Did you have to audition for the main company also?
MF: I guess I auditioned and didn’t know I was auditioning. [Maureen Mansfield] was retiring, but we thought they were going to hold an audition. The main company was away on tour, and we were auditioning for a new member in the second company. Surprisingly, I was part of conducting the audition. At the end of the audition, he came over to me and asked me to join the main company and I was completely shocked. I said “Of course.”
AmNews: What is it like working for Mr. Taylor?
MF: We are all a big family. Once you’re in the company, you’re in this huge family, and you meet dancers from each generation who pass down their knowledge. To work with Paul is such a treat because there aren’t that many living choreographers from his time, so we are still a part of the history of the company.
AmNews: What was the first work created on you?
MF: “In the Beginning” (2003)
AmNews: You are the only African-American in the company. Carolyn Adams held that role from 1965-1982. Does this mean anything to you?
MF: I never think about it when I’m there. It’s almost as if there are no colors; it’s just the work, purely the dancing. After Carolyn retired, there were other African-American men, but there hadn’t been another African-American female. Paul has different nationalities, but because he was a painter…I’m not in his brain, but I wonder–because of our personalities and our capabilities–if he sees us as colors on his pallet. Maybe at auditions he thinks, “Oh they would fit perfectly in that color.”
AmNews: Do you have any favorite roles?
MF: I get to be a chameleon in every piece. Of course I love “Esplanade,” and I am honored to do the role I’m doing now.
AmNews: Who originated that role?
MF: Carolyn! It’s such a treat to do that role. I hope that I honor it and bring the same enthusiasm and spirit to it. I also do a duet with Michael Trusnovec in “Piazzolla Caldera,” another one of my favorite roles. And there’s another duet in “Cascade” with Michael which I love. I also love Paul’s darker pieces, because when do you get the chance to be ugly and dark with sweat pouring? (laughs)
AmNews: Is it still fun after so many years?
MF: Yes. I get to see the world; I get to dance on stages and bring happiness or invoke feelings to audiences through the work. It’s exciting, it’s thrilling.
For more information, visit ptdc.org.
