PAS DE DIEU

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY TONY LOBL

HOW DO YOU TELL a story in dance? As a young man aspiring to evolve from dancer to choreographer, Donald McAlpine constantly asked himself that question. His answer today: "Well, you tell it with movement!" As a Christian Scientist — and an artist who relies on God for his health and inspiration — Don says he naturally wants to "tell a good story."

When Don sees ballets composed by great choreographers, "there is something that has made the difference between just an exhibition of movement — or acrobatics — and something that really moves the spirit, that really makes you think, 'Gosh, that was wonderful!' And you think, If only I could do something like that!"