As if the dance world isn't already hard enough; learning the choreography, staring at yourself in the mirror all day, trying not to be too critical, explaining to your friends why you can't miss any rehearsals and instead you have to miss their birthday party; there is that day when casting is put up and all your hard work is summed up.
Casting day never comes soon enough! And when it does, you're expected to act a certain way. It is similar to yearly promotions or layoffs at any bigger company. Everyone is aware yet nobody is allowed to show their emotional distress or enjoyment.
Dancers work hard during auditions, in hopes to get their dream role. Which is different for each dancer. In the case of my daughters, it was Clara for Mia and Clara’s friend for Stasha, in their ballet school’s production of the Nutcracker.
I had a hard time understanding how much this meant to them. Dismissing their what if I don’t make it question, like it’s irrelevant and any role will be fun, made them worry even more. “Any role will be fun, but mom, being Clara is what I always dreamed of” Mia would tell me. For me, however, I always enjoyed Arabian or Spanish more, and Clara wasn’t something that I thought was as fun or as crucial in the Nutcracker, but what do I know. “Clara’s friend is such a fun role, I get to be in the party scene, in a beautiful dress with beautiful hair.” Stasha would tell me.
And just like that, every conversation at our dinner table involved Clara something and Clara’s friend something else. In the middle of us eating dinner, they’d get up to show me and my husband, the part of the dance, they were referring to. Starting in September, the Nutcracker music was blasting in my house. They were dreamy, dancing to the music and pretending to be every single character there is. I was mesmerized.
When the anticipated day arrived, my phone was sitting on my desk at work, off silent mode, making sure I don’t miss that text or phone call. The night before, we had a long talk about what it means to get a lead role or any role in a ballet production. It doesn’t mean you’re the best dancer out there. It means you’re the right fit for the job. You are someone; choreographers, teachers, staff and other dancers can and want to work with. You are someone they can count on to show up to every rehearsal, on time, ready to work and not waste anyone’s time. You are someone, who has the right attitude, positive outlook, able to take corrections, write them down, apply them, never give up but try even harder the next time, anticipate the next step, take more notes, listen to the music and genuinely play the role you were given. The girls agreed and said, that they’ll be thankful to get any role and they’ll work extra hard to make sure they are picked again in the next production for their work ethic.
My phone rang! I got up from my desk and ran to the bathroom like a teenager. I heard a small, broken voice on the other end, ‘Mom!?’ It was from Mia...”Are you ok?” I asked. “Mom, I’m ok. I’m Clara!!!” I was very happy and proud of her. “I didn’t make a scene or scream or anything, but I did smile, I hope that is ok.” she said. Then, I got Stasha on the other line. She said she was very happy as she got two roles that she wanted. Angels and Clara’s friend. She said, “Mom, I’m very happy but also sad, because one of my friends is upset about her roles, so I don’t have time to talk right now, I want to go and make sure she’s ok.” I was equally proud of her.
When we got home, we talked about what it means to take every opportunity seriously, and always give it 110%. Nothing comes to you without a lot of hard work put in. And it was a lot of practice, and work at home, finding time to perfect every facial expression, hand movement, remember the choreography, get over fears of dancing and being lifted by a partner. It was more work than I could have ever imagined! But, they did it all. They didn’t miss any rehearsals, they ate healthily, took care of their bodies to make sure they don’t get sick or hurt. It meant everything to them!
That night, they started watching previous years of the Nutcracker videos, and it went on every day until today! January 1st!
Their dream came true and I couldn’t be happier for them. Watching them perform on stage and feeling the love they feel, made me shed tears of joy. They deserved to be on that stage and they didn't disappoint one bit.
Comments