Rodeo
Photo courtesy of Rosalie O’Connor
Theme and Variations
Photo courtesy of Rosalie O’Connor
Jenny and I, in The Green Table
Over the past four days, as the news of Jenny’s death only beings to settle in, fellow dancers of ABT and myself have been reminded of special memories that we shared with her. This is inevitably a difficult time for everyone here, and especially Juilo, her husband of about 5 months. It is only our love and support that we can show towards him and her parents during this grieving time.
Bathilde in Giselle
Photo courtesy of Rosalie O’Connor
Jenny and I, in The Green Table
Audiences who saw Jenny in The Green Table, will never forget the scene where Death takes her life and ends hovering over her body, while the lights fade out. She was memorable in this role, dancing it with such poise and commitment. It was my pleasure and gift to be able to share that moment with her, sharing the beauty of live theater and a moment that both of us will never forget. I remember looking into her eyes, as we started this scene together, both of us completely committed to the ballet at hand. It was through the beauty of dance that we shared some of our most intimate times.
Jenny was also one of the most well respected dancers at ABT. Her work ethic and commitment to the art was not only exemplary but unparalleled. She set the tone for how to work hard and how to work intelligently. Having seen Jenny come back from a long injury, I saw first hand her determination and commitment to her career. She was not only loved by the dancers but loved by the staff as well. Susan Jones, who is ballet mistress to the corps women at ABT, wrote these amazing words about Jenny in Matt’s previous post…
Jennifer wasn’t just one of the girls. She was a lady - a graceful & eloquent person, who as a corps de ballet member, was the epitome of professionalism. Her contribution to the company, along with her standards, will not be forgotten.
Jenny and Julio
She will not be forgotten… Nor will we ever fill the hole that she embodied. A trusted and committed dancer to the company, but above all, a radiant and elegant woman that we will all miss immensely.
M
What a lovely post David. So glad that you collected these pictures of Jenny. I cannot stop thinking about her. The memory that keeps flashing in my mind is her incredible scene with you in the brothel in “Green Table” which you speak of above.
The moment when you came to the corner and stared her in the eyes sent shivers down my spine every time. I must have seen that ballet over 50 times and each time she did it, it was as if her commitment to the part increased. That is what always amazed me about Jen was how every single part, no matter how large or small, was filled with an immense amount of knowledge and intent. Her role in “The Green Table” was perhaps the most perfect example of her immense talents. Chiling
She is missed terribly.
Dec 07, 2007 @ 03:23
SanderO
David,
That was a beautiful tribute to your beloved colleague. Thank you so much. A loss of such a beautiful person in the prime of their life is so incredibly unbearable. You words bring forth how wonderful she was with dance while she was here.
namaste
Dec 07, 2007 @ 13:20
mbb
Thank you for the wonderful pics. What a terrible tragedy for everyone who knew her! Thanks for letting us know that she was not only beautiful outside but inside also.
Dec 07, 2007 @ 14:10
Philip
She’s incredibly beautiful, especially in the THEME photo. What a tragic loss.
Dec 07, 2007 @ 15:17
Alannah
She’s absolutley gorgeous, what a wonderful tribute, very touching.
Dec 07, 2007 @ 17:41
Barbara
The photo of Jennifer and Julio is simply haunting. Thank you David for sharing your lovely words.
Dec 07, 2007 @ 21:03
doug
my favorite make-up for you..
Dec 08, 2007 @ 00:41
Emily
This is heartbreaking, especially during the holidays. I can only imagine what her family is feeling right now. But what a beautiful life she led! These photos are gorgeous.
Dec 12, 2007 @ 22:10
Ferenc
Jenny, I remember how at 11 years old you would endlessly twirl in the basement and bring me down stairs to show me another peice you were working on … practicing in front of the TV as you emulated the pro’s …you surpassed them … and now my Natasha (11) endlessly twirls in the hall and brings me up stairs to show me another peice she’s working on … I love you both … your red shoes hang in my office and today I had a hard time treating patients with out crying … we will go on. God bless you my dear …
Dec 13, 2007 @ 04:07
Lisa
I did Carousel on Broadway with Jen. She really was a beautiful person inside and out.
I can’t believe this has happened to such a young sweet woman. God bless family and Julio.
Dec 14, 2007 @ 01:13
R. Keith &Vanessa Alexander
Dear winger: Jennifer’s parents were shocked and heart broken at the loss of our daughter.
Accidents, I suspect, are almost always hard to fathom and this is one of them. We are
nonetheless sustained by the overwhelming love and generosity of the ballet company
and it’s beautiful artists, so many friends, and the incredible tributes of those who knew
and worked with her. Not only was she appreciated as a”luminous presence” on stage as
one so kindly said ( she inherited this much from her mom! )but unbeknown to us, she
lived out her christian upbringing by reaching out to help others and being loved as a
person ex the stage. Which is to say she lived on the larger stage, which helps us enjoy
the forever ongoing blessing of the 35 years God granted us with her.
Thank you, thank you all, thanks David Hallberg, ( the crack about your best makeup is’t
true, we’ve seen and hugged you in person !!.) God bless all who have helped assuage
the pain. The parents.
Dec 27, 2007 @ 18:45
Jojo
I think of you, Jenny, every day… I am so sorry for your loss Mr. and Mrs. Alexander. Jenny always had a unique quality about her. Purely focused and professional in every way possible. As a former row mate at 890 as well as at the Met, I feel her loss heavily all the time.
Thanks David for posting such sweet words.
Jan 02, 2008 @ 20:26