Lee Quinney
Maggie,
From the moment my feet touched the red velvet carpet of the Capitol Theater for my first Nutcracker, I knew there was magic.
In my white cotton stockings and black patent leather Mary Jane's, I knew a few other things:
I knew my great grandmother and my mother had loved and protected this place.
And that in turn, our entire family followed in adoration, respect and stewardship.
But most importantly, I knew this was a magical place.
Growing up, I felt it in every stair, every seat, and every toe tap, silent as it was strong on that stage.
I loved meeting the dancers. I loved watching rehearsals. Being engulfed by the love and production of dance. I loved being twirled during breaks, and I loved having my hair put into a bun by busy hands so to practice with *no hair!*.
I LOVED being shown how to properly break in a pointe shoe!
I loved being allowed in the dressing rooms to watch Johann and David mend and dress and primp and make sure our dancers and their costumes were beyond perfection.
I grew up in this theater. I grew up with this family. I have watched, I have played, and I have grown and I have served.
And there has been no greater honor and magic than knowing Maggie Wright.
Our Sugar Plum Fairy.
To watch her dance was to witness perfection. And to know her was to know love of an art, love of the world, and love in general.
She was grace. She was happiness and air on stage and off.
Effortlessly elegant and the smile to win it all.
Once when I was a little girl, tagging along with my mom, Maggie carried me around, balanced on her tutu during a rehearsal and I felt like I was dancing myself.
.... Then she tried to teach me
To be clear) I have two left feet. I am an AWFUL dancer. But Maggie was so patient with me. She held my hands. She let me put my floppy feet on her invaluable feet and taught me the steps. And when I just couldn't get it, she lifted me and balanced me on her tutu and she danced with me whilst humming Tchaikovsky in my ear. I will never forget that moment as long as I live. And when she finally put me down, hugged me and thanked me for the dance, we sat in the costume studio, and she gave me her beautiful banged up rehearsal shoes.
Maggie breathed life into Ballet West. Into Ballet in general. Into dancers (and in my case, not dancers but enthusiasts)
But boy did she try with me. Every time I step into the Capitol, Maggie's is the face I see
Her grace, love, dignity, patience, humor, and legacy will never be forgotten
Maggie,
We will love you forever.
I want you to know that I still have the well loved, totally broken in, and a bit dirty pair of point shoes you signed for me that day when I was 7 years old. And I will never forget when you carried me around on stage, and somehow, made me feel like a ballerina too.
I will cherish the shoes always.
And I will cherish you always-- as my one, my only, Sugar Plum Fairy 💜
I love you Maggie,
Lee Elizabeth Quinney
