"A Problem Page For All!"

 (This message was edited by alexa-anne on 01-27-04 @ 5:11 pm EST)

Yeah, auditions in general are electric. I love the words you come up with, Catsy!

This one wasn't nerve-wracking at all, though. When I called up to register the week before Liz practically promised me I'd get in. Plus, I've never once failed to pass an audition at the Dance Collective. At this point, since all their teenage dancers left, I'd say I'm their most advanced young student. They were ecstatic to have. I don't know how they would have cast the part if I hadn't shown up -- maybe one of the teachers would have danced the part. Or Nia, all of 14 years old and dedicated, but with no coordination to speak of. (I shouldn't criticize her. She's a nice girl. Somewhat rude to me, possibly out of disappointment that I showed up, but a nice girl.)

At the audition? Well, Liz ran us through a short combination -- a routine she's been using for years, so I knew it by heart -- and made us do crane tails, which pissed me off because I've never been good at crane tails, not even when I was in good shape. However, my wrists are a lot better now than they were when I was last dancing at the Collective, so that did help. Maybe I'll be able to do them much better once I'm back in shape. Do you know what crane tails are?

Then we did a lot of improv, mostly running the little kids through the roles they were auditioning for -- the pumpkin patch, the evil elves. I had so much fun dancing that. I love character dancing! I'm good at it, too. This is a revelation that has only recently come to me: I am a really good dancer! Strange to think of.

The piece is a story-dance. It depicts a little faery tale about a farmer whose crops are being destroyed by evil elf-like things. I'll be dancing "Farmer Fran." The others will be Pumpkins, Menehoonies (the elves...don't ask where that name came from), and the Scarecrows.

I don't know who's choreographing. Liz isn't actually running this; she's advising, but it's mostly up to Lucyanna and Rebecca. I know them both pretty well, but never had them for teachers. I suspect I might end up doing some of my own choreography.

Rehearsals are every Saturday, so it'll be a once a week commute. Dad's driving me. Rachel had been planning to drive me sometimes, but, once I got the lead role, there were some...hurt feelings. Liz has always treated Rachel rather badly. Rachel feels hurt and angry -- and rightly so -- that Liz never had a part like this for her, but drops it in my lap now. It would be cruel to make Rachel drive. We're sort of avoiding the subject with her. Not that doing so is terribly emotionally mature of us, but sometimes it's best to let things sit for a while. I always want to ram my head into emotional situations, but Rachel prefers to have time and space to process inside her head.

Let me get this straight. Are you going to be in opera?!? Dear child!! I cannot express my excitement. I adore opera! Keep me posted!

** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **