Every year since the horrific events of September 11, 2001, a personal ritual of walking from Bleecker Street to lower Manhattan has been part of my remembrance. From my window, pregnant with my second child, I witnessed the unbelievable tragedy unfold. The images are seared in my memory: people covered in ash walking away from Ground Zero, the impossibly clear blue sky of that Tuesday morning, the initial disbelief and the growing fear. Would we need to evacuate? Could I safely take my toddler outside? The instinct to nurture kicked in, and I found myself making lasagnas, preparing to care for others in my home.
The makeshift memorials in Union Square Park and Grand Central Station, plastered with desperate pleas – “Have you seen my loved one?” – remain vivid. I remember the raw emotion of the firefighters at our local station, their usual playful interactions with my son replaced by tears and overwhelming grief. Their excessive candy offerings to my toddler were not upsetting, but a poignant attempt to reclaim normalcy amidst chaos.
For years, Ground Zero was a place I avoided. Now, unexpectedly, I find myself living mere steps from it.
In the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the World Trade Center site in NYC, a scene of immense destruction and loss.
The area, the Financial District, once synonymous with devastation, now pulses with life. Instead of the lingering smell of smoke and the sight of rubble, there’s the vibrant energy of children playing, the hurried pace of professionals, the chatter of tourists, and the resilience of nature in the trees and flowers. The calming presence of the 9/11 Memorial’s flowing water offers a sense of peace.
This year, an unexpected invitation shifted my 9/11 ritual. I was asked to join my artistic community in Jacqulyn Buglisi’s 9/11 Table of Silence Project, a deeply meaningful performance ritual. Returning to dance after a decade is a gift, but contributing to such a powerful tribute for our city and the world is an immense honor. I am humbled to participate in this homage to a solemn day and to the power of peace expressed through dance.
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A dancer in rehearsal for the Table of Silence Project, covering her mouth in a gesture of remembrance and reflection.
Last Sunday, I joined over a hundred dancers, singers, musicians, stage managers, and countless behind-the-scenes individuals at Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center for a final rehearsal of this profound ceremonial ritual. The sight of everyone in white, intensely focused on the choreography against the backdrop of this iconic artistic hub, was truly moving. Having our choreographer, Buglisi, direct us via megaphone from a balcony evoked the grandeur of a Cecil B. DeMille epic.
The sheer scale and ambition of The Table of Silence Project are staggering. Initially, many doubted its feasibility. Yet, Buglisi’s unwavering belief in the project’s importance has brought it to its 9th year. “Why shouldn’t we be the ones to change the world?” she declared during rehearsal, reminding us to persevere in our convictions.
Dancers in white performing the Table of Silence Project on the Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center, creating a powerful visual statement of unity and peace.
Buglisi’s rehearsals are filled with inspiring insights, poetic directives that resonate deeply, especially as we move, breathe, and strive for transcendence with each step. The imagery is rich, guiding us to connect with both the heavens and the earth.
The project unites dancers and students from prestigious NYC institutions like The Juilliard School, The Ailey School, and the Martha Graham School, alongside professionals from leading dance companies and freelance artists from diverse backgrounds – ballet, modern, musical theatre, yoga, filmmaking, and arts administration. The unifying element, as Buglisi emphasizes, is “oxygen,” the very breath of life, and the miracle of shared existence.
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A dancer holding a ceramic plate during the Table of Silence performance, symbolizing offering and remembrance as part of the peace ritual.
Rehearsals begin with collective breath, synchronized walking, unified standing, and a heightened awareness of each other. The sensation of so many bodies moving in harmonious unison is profoundly powerful. Taking this collective energy from the studio to Lincoln Center plaza, and into the world, holds immeasurable potential.
Participating in The Table of Silence Project offers a glimpse into Jacqulyn Buglisi’s very essence – a force of nature. This “Dance Table,” as it might be envisioned, is not a physical object but a symbolic space, a platform for unity, remembrance, and a powerful call for peace.
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Dancers with arms raised towards the sky during the Table of Silence Project at the Revson Fountain, a moment of collective aspiration for peace and hope.
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The Table of Silence Project 9/11: A Performance Ritual for Peace by Jacqulyn Buglisi
“The Table of Silence Project embodies the shared humanity that binds us, transcending race, culture, and religion, uniting us in common aspirations. Through this performance, we aim to honor peace through a collective moment of silence and listening – a call for global peace.” – Jacqulyn Buglisi, Choreographer
Event Details: Wednesday, September 11, 2019, 8:15 AM – 8:46 AM, Revson Fountain, Josie Robertson Plaza, Lincoln Center, 64th Street and Columbus. Free Admission.
Live Stream: Available at 8:15 AM on https://www.buglisidance.org, https://www.tableofsilence.org, and www.Facebook.com/buglisidance.
