Jill Howroyd Lawler—1968
English Teacher; Board of Directors, New Hampshire Dance Institute

Initially, Marcy’s Modern Dance class offered an escape from the horrors of the six-semester Phys.
Ed. Requirement; it also offered a chance to do something I had done as a child. Although I
graduated in ’68, before the Company was born, her classes were a great release from the stresses
and rigors of Bates in the mid-60’s. After graduating, I found Modern classes for adults, began to
take ballet, and became an amateur choreographer.

What a surprise it was to arrive at Bates in September of 1993 with first year daughter Jess to find
Marcy and a group of dancers performing “Zombie Jamboree” on the library terrace. Thus,
through Jess, I again connected to Bates Modern Dance and Marcy.

Marcy’s legacy continues to help spread dance across New Hampshire. For the past three years I
have watched proudly as Jessica has developed a residency program with the New Hampshire
D ance Institute, bringing dance and movement into elementary schools. Whenever I can, I attend
the small in-school performances they put on at the end of the residency and when I look at their
beaming faces I am reminded of how crucial dance and all the arts are to the human race.

Thank you, Marcy!

Jess Lawler—1995
Residency Director, New Hampshire Dance Institute; Modern Dance Teacher

The first time I saw Marcy Plavin was at a dance performance out on the library terrace during my
first days at Bates. I knew as soon as I saw her moving people about in her heeled boots and flared
jeans that she was a dancer. And she had flair! I decided then that this dance group looked like a
fun one to join, but I was already committed to competitive running—I hadn’t even danced
seriously since freshman year in high school. My dancing muscles were itching so I dropped in on
one of Marcy’s P.E. classes. I remember warming up on the floor and Marcy looking casually over
and saying, quite simply, “You really should dance while you’re here.” Marcy’s words stuck with me
and, although I continued running, I began to phase more into dance, taking as many of Marcy’s
dance history and performance classes as I could. A short term dance unit was my first experience
of bringing dance to children—something that I do now professionally (and love!) as an Artist in
Residence with the New Hampshire Dance Institute. That my mom and I have both danced with
Marcy has also become a special shared history. Without my mom I never would have started
dancing—and without Marcy I wouldn’t have picked it up again. Thank you Marcy.

Thank you for your generous spirit and for helping me recognize that there is room for many
passions in my life…and always time to dance!