St. Louis’ dance community – which has been in a collective state of bereavement since Pelagie Green Wren’s passing September 19, 2013 at the age of 71 – celebrated her life Tuesday morning at Wade Funeral Home Twin Chapel.
“Out of everybody who passed through my life, Pelagie and her teachings affected me the most significantly on so many levels,” said Candice Michelle Franklin, a cousin, who spoke on behalf of the family. “She was a queen to little black girls and boys with two feet and a dream who stepped into her thriving academy.”
Former student Leslie Owens Harrington described a student’s life in that academy, Pelagie Green Wren Studios.
“We sat with bloody toes, hair in a bun, tattered shoes, holes in your leg warmers, smiles from ear to ear,” Harrington said.
As a former student as well as cousin, Franklin knows first-hand the impact Wren had as an instructor. Her teaching gave Franklin the foundation to secure a four-year dance scholarship and acceptance into the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
“It’s the same foundation I pass onto my students at the Joffrey Ballet School – where I am a master teacher in the Joffrey Jazz and Contemporary Department,” she said.
Franklin is just one of many success stories among the alumni. They have worked in such companies as Ailey, The Dance Theater of Harlem and Philadanco. They have danced on Broadway in productions such as Fela! They have extended their high kicks as part of the legendary Rockettes and opened their own studios.
Before she became a renowned instructor, Wren became the first African-American chorus member of the Muny Opera House in 1962. In fact, she was the first black chorus member in a resident company in the nation, as her longtime friend and Muny dance partner Gary Hubler pointed out.
“There were performers in the Muny chorus who didn’t want to perform with her simply because she was black,” Hubler said. “But along with the death threats, she got letters international letters of support – including a telegram from Leontyne Price.”
She had no biological children, but her sons and daughters in dance wept throughout the service.
“We are the fruits of her labors,” said Harrington.
Her stars formed a line to share their stories. The service raced against time as many felt compelled to share their thoughts. She was quoted and even lovingly mimicked by an alumni corps that stretched nearly five decades.
“Make the mirror sweat, or you’re not dancing hard enough,” Harrington said while delivering her best impersonation. “If you can’t keep up, miss girl, someone else will have your job.”
The lessons, apparently, stuck.
“I’m asking that all dancers today who are present properly salute Ms. Wren the way she taught us in her dance classes,” said Chris Evans White.
And so they stood – on cue, of course – extended their right arm, lifted their shoulders and bowed toward her casket.
She was always beautiful and graceful