Out Loud: A Memoir

Morris, founder of Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG), continues to have a vibrant dance presence, with new choreography that debuted in July and revivals performed throughout the world. Like his dance philosophy (“I make it up and you watch it”), here Morris, and novelist-musician Stace (Wonderkid; Misfortune) are forthright, often funny, and unafraid to ruffle feathers, slotting gossipy tidbits next to soul-searching revelations and philosophical discussions on the nature of dance. Frequent personal photos add interest. The subjects of Morris’s disses include himself (“vulgar,” “mean,” “a bully,”), as well as lovers, dance associates, and choreographers (“a creep,” “a tin ear,” “ham-fisted”). Morris bounces from grateful to arrogant and back again, exploring his childhood, his sexuality, the inside scoop on MMDG past and present, and dance and choreography in general.