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Black and white photo of four dancers performing on stage, with one dancer being lifted by two others. All dancers are dressed in white outfits with knee-high socks. The background features a large crossword puzzle with letters and numbers visible.

Repertory

Crossword

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

WORLD PREMIERE

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 1977

MUSIC

Burt Alcantara

DÉCOR & COSTUMES

Randy Barcelo

LIGHTING

Richard Nelson

RUN TIME

26 Minutes

Jennifer Muller created this witty ballet for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1977 to Burt Alcantara’s feel-good, semi-electronic music. Against the backdrop of a giant crossword, the dancers, each of whom have a letter sewn on the back of their costume, move with sharp dynamics. Throughout the piece, the dancers “solve the puzzle” by arranging themselves to form words. 

A black and white photo of a performance by Donna Wood and the Company in Crossword. Several dancers are lying on the floor in a row, each wearing white costumes with letters that spell out SPRING. One dancer stands to the side with an arm raised, wearing a flowing white garment. The background is dark, highlighting the dancers.

Donna Wood and the Company in Jennifer Muller's Crossword Photo by Jack L. Vartoogian

Black and white photo of four dancers performing on stage, with one dancer being lifted by two others. All dancers are dressed in white outfits with knee-high socks. The background features a large crossword puzzle with letters and numbers visible.

Alistair Butler, Warren Spears, Maxine Sherman, Michihiko Oka in Jennifer Muller's Crossword Photo by Jack L. Vartoogian