NYCB Vol. 4 No. 17 - The Cage

“Once while performing The Cage, I did not fasten my sleek black beetle like wig securely, and by mid-dance it was hanging near my ear. I ripped it off in disgust, full of self-hate, feeling very sloppy and unprofessional. My own hair fell wildly about my head. But Mr. B came backstage meaning. He thought I should lose the wig in every performance to show more clearly the lethal development of Jerry’s mate-consuming mantis. The hair reflected her ominous maturity. Mr. B knew how upset I was with the performance, and it was generous of him to de-emphasize the mishap.”

— Once a Dancer... by Allegra Kent (affiliate link)

Photos below are from the performance where her wig fell off:

Allegra Kent and Francisco Moncion. Martha Swope, 1958.

New York Public Library