Color blind.

I danced in three revivals of the musical Showboat at Jones Beach Marine Theater, 1956-57. The summer of the first revival there was a black cast and a white cast of singers and dancers. I still lived with my parents, who were staunch Southerners living on Long Island.

Transportation for the cast was by train to Freeport, Long Island. Upon arrival a bus took us to the theater. One night I was late boarding the bus and had to take the only seat left, which was next to a male dancer. I was honored and thrilled to be seated next to Alvin Ailey. Other occupants of that bus included Geoffrey Holder, Donald McKayle, and Charles Moore.

When I got off the bus, as usual, my father was waiting for me. My parents were always supportive of my dance life, but that evening I was greeted with, "If I ever catch you sitting next to a colored person again, that will be the end of your dance career!" That night I cried myself to sleep, never understanding what I had done wrong. I did not see color. I saw human beings.

Years later, while I was with the American Festival Ballet in Europe, Alvin Ailey saw me perform. He came backstage and invited me to join his newly formed company. Alvin did not see color either.

MONA TRITSCH WILLIAMS

FT. MITCHELL, KY