Blue skies, red bricks and white tiles.  Patriotism painted in Boston’s bright blood, streaked with a nostalgia for times yet to be had.  How can you long for a time and place you’ve yet to know?

If I could control the calendar, I would place the New Year in autumn. Fall would refresh us, with its subtle sinking temperatures and tendency to steer us towards all things new.  We would make our resolutions when the leaves turn gold, sparked by a behavioral stamp embossed on our temporal condition since childhood.  Back to school, new schedules, the shedding of our summer skin.

January feels more like a time for questions.  A time for exploration, investigation, experimentation.  A time to take the pressure off, test the waters, let the kettle scream.

Today we head back into the studios to begin work on three new ballets.  All contemporary, all world premieres. Heading straight into the unknown, fresh off the Nutcracker Express, I can almost feel the words buzzing in my head…exploration, investigation, experimentation.

Happy New Year.

So far 2016 has felt positively dreamy.  But I suppose that’s to be expected when it starts off with fireworks over Boston harbor, compelling conversation and a hot chocolate tour of New England, right?