Dodie writes after being unable to attend the Annual Alumni Nutcracker Gathering:
Nov, 2010
Dear Lisa and Everyone,
I am so sorry not to have been able to be there with you today, I had planned to do so but a sudden family illness, which required a hospital stay, changed my plans.
But I want you to know the admiration I have of the work you and all the staff of the company are doing and further, your continuing correspondence with all the alumni. It's a nice reminder to me that my artistic roots didn't just come from anywhere. I was nurtured by fine strong people who had a passion for the arts and dedicated their lives to the important task of passing their love and knowledge down.
As time goes by, the influence of Princeton Ballet, and particularly, Audree and Bud, goes to deeper levels. I am now approaching my 60th birthday, which shocks and amazes me. But then I think of Audree. She was about this age when I worked with her. The energy and the work that she did I couldn't even begin to appreciate back then. How I wish I could tell her now.
And the connection continues, even now, it seems. All my time as a young and middle-aged performer I never had any plans to be on the production side. But as if guided by above I now find myself, inexplicably, not only on the Board of Directors of The Connecticut Dance School, a school much like The Princeton Ballet, but also on the Faculty of Rollins College in Orlando teaching Ballet, Jazz and choreographing shows on the mainstage. I have now directed and/or choreographed at least a half dozen shows at the College, High School and Middle School levels. Believe me, I never saw myself as a teacher, much less a choreographer, and I have not actively pursued it. I had other plans....
But Audrey must have seen it. What seems a lifetime ago, she came to me one day and said "I want to you choreograph a dance for the little princesses in Sleeping Beauty...."
Of course I said yes, no one could ever say no to Audree ...
So these days when similar opportunities happen and I cant quite figure out why, I find myself stopping, looking up and saying.... "You did this didn't you"?
And I'm sure I'm not the only one who has felt this way.
To all have a wonderful Holiday and I hope to see you next year.
With love and fond memories,
Dodie Pettit
