Bob Gregory begins his story with a beautiful dance, warm and welcoming. The kind of dance that makes it very clear that he dances with a sense of honesty and pride that cannot be faked, his passion lives in every move he makes. As Bob begins talking to the audience, we soon gather that his is to come level deaf. He then puts in his hearing aids and begins to speak and sign his story. Bob’s story is one wrapped up in the love his mother had for him, the hate his father had and how both of those things were wrapped up in his choice to be a dancer. This is a story that focuses on how so many young men don’t feel supported by male figures in their lives because they simply choose to dance. For Bob, his mother encouraged him and he excelled. He goes on to tell the story of how he lost his hearing at the hands of his father and how that affected his dance, self-worth and feelings about his father. But this is a story of triumph that shows the audience that you can go through trauma and come out on the other side still living in your truth and still having the ability to love what brings you joy. Bob reminds us that if we have a passion, we should follow it because when you are broken and trying to gather all of the pieces to put yourself back together it may be that love that walks with you through it. A story of a young person losing the most important support system in their lives and watching them climb their way out of the darkness to stand on stage again and dance.
... From the Heart
(Scene opens with Bob Gregory, early twenties, dancer through and through. Maybe you look at him and see it, maybe you don’t but as he scopes through the audience then gives a sinister smile as he begins to dance- you are now a believer. He finishes, smiles, and addresses the audience… with sign language. Note: The type of dance that Bob does is left to the greatness of the actor performing this story.)
(In silence he signs) “My name is Bob Gregory. Weird combo, right? (He sees that no one knows what he’s signing, puts in his hearing aid and begins again. This time he speaks as he signs.) How is this? Better? (smiles) Better for you at least, better to understand this story, understand me. Yeah, better. (Signs again) As I was saying my name is Bob Gregory. Weird combo, right? (laughs, continues speaking only signing when the performer chooses to or specifically noted) But rather a combination of the great tap dancer Gregory Hines and famed Broadway choreographer Bob Fosse. Does anyone know who those two men are? Anyone? Let me dancer educate you; Gregory Hines was an African American tap dancer and actor who was widely known for both. He could tap like the sounds were living in the tips of his toes and climbing into his soul. Then there is Bob Fosse who still to this day is a name used on Broadway all the time. He created a form of dance that was known by the sleek lines, the sultry way you move in and out of poses. You could look at choreography and say, “Fosse did that didn’t he?” A tap dance in an 80s movie and it just felt like the feet of Hines brought those stories to life. (He has a moment) My mom had a vision for me. “Gregory, you’re special. More special than I will ever be and no matter what son, I want you to dance.” (He pats his chest) “From the heart son, from the heart.” (smiles) My mom saw so much in me. So much brilliance that all I wanted to do was rise to the occasion… I just wish… I wish she had told my dad that was the plan… or even a part of the story.