For more than 50 years, rave reviews and dancing shoes have fueled Maurice Hines’ infectious energy. Choreographer, teacher, creator and dancer, Hines will soon add a new step to his repertoire as artistic director of the renovated Lincoln Theatre.
Hines’ career began at age 5 at the Henry LeTang Dance Studio in New York. Young Hines danced with his brother, the late Gregory Hines, and their father (Maurice Sr.) in the stage hit Hines, Hines & Dad. Hines then pursued a solo career that has taken him on a ride from the National Touring Company’s Guys and Dolls, to Eubie! on Broadway, to the silver screen in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Cotton Club, to the creation of Ballet Tap USA.
His choreography has graced the stage in musicals such as Uptown…It’s Hot!, Harlem Suite, and international productions of Havana Night and The Red Shoes. For measure, his two jazz albums are critically acclaimed.
Hines recently sat down with CityScene to talk about his new position, whirlwind plans for Columbus, and love for the ladies (including his relentless mother).
CityScene: How did you land the position as artistic director?
Maurice Hines: I came to Columbus to do a Columbus Jazz Orchestra concert with (CJO artistic director) Byron Stripling. The last time I’d been here was about 15 to 20 years ago. We were rehearsing at the King Arts Complex, and we rode by a theatre with a marquee. I said, “That’s a cute little theatre, what are they doing there?” Byron told me [about the renovation], and I said, “Tell whoever is involved that I’ll be the artistic director.” I live by the philosophy, “Ask for what you want as if you’ve already received it.” Just ask!
CS: Why did you want to take a position in Columbus?
MH: The Lincoln people were so nice, and the community was so nice. I taught dance classes in Columbus a couple of years ago. At the first one there were 12 dancers, but by the third class I had 45. I’m not coming here as a big time New York choreographer. I want to give my talent, because I’m a dancer just like them. I have all my talent to share with them, and they have theirs to share with me.
CS: What aspects of Columbus are you looking forward to seeing? What do you hope to bring to Columbus?
MH: The arts community — talking more with the students and young people. Everyone is talented. I absolutely love mentoring and giving young dancers that sense of security. I want to find kids to get into set design, concert design, acting, and screen and stage writing. I really want to give back to the community. Everything has to be solidified, but I move very fast. I don’t know if Columbus is ready for my speed!
CS: What about your upbringing fostered your artistic growth?
MH: My mother. She was the one that said, “There’s nothing you can’t do. I know the racism is there, but that will not stop you because you are talented.” One time we auditioned for the Johnny Carson show. We’d failed seven auditions, and the coordinator told my mother that we weren’t talented. She said, “You don’t know talent.” The next time we did it, Carson actually saw us at a club and said we were fabulous. We (the Hines brothers) did his show 37 times. He made us. Without him, there would have been no career.
CS: Where are some of your favorite places to go?
MH: Traveling is a perk of the job. I don’t like being just on Broadway. I like new cities and people. Paris, London, Chicago, Washington, Philly, … I love every city basically. The audiences are wonderful on the road. I get to meet church groups and the women — women drive the theatre. I love the ladies. They keep the theatre alive. They buy the tickets and the men have no choice!
CS: Your resume is prolific; do you have an entertainment preference?
MH: The stage. I don’t like sitting around — I’d go crazy. I’m a theatre animal. I love having the audience right there, and I’m grateful they’re there. When you’re grateful, you give them everything you’ve got. You can’t be perfect every show, but as soon as you get out there, the audience takes care of it. It’s a thrill.
CS: After being in the business for 55 years, how do you keep up your energy level?
MH: It’s about the audience. I absolutely love what I do. When I have my dancers, I don’t need anything else. The dancers don’t bring angst, problems, they just want to dance. If they have problems, they leave them at the door. It’s like you’re flying, and they’re flying with me.
CS: What projects are you most fond of?
MH: Choreography — that’s when I don’t need anything, just my dancers and I’m happy.
CS: Describe your role as artistic director.
MH: I’ll do a concert with dancers, choreographing, directing, and doing part of the gala when it opens. Then, slowly through the years, move on to other things: go to schools, visit students and exchange students.
CS: What is one production you would like to see performed at the Lincoln Theatre?
MH: Sophisticated Ladies. I may be doing it next year. It’s been done on Broadway and was just a huge sensation. I would love to see it. I’m excited to get on the stage.
Shannon McMahon is a contributing writer for CityScene.