We had our (well, at least my) last official ballet class last night.
(Technically there’s a VI’s ballet tonight, but I have a chiropractor appointment, so I can’t go.)
Nearly everyone was there, including a newly booted dancer. (she hurt something in her foot during Swan Lake, pushed through the shows, and now is in a boot. I think she’s still able to do recital, but am glad she’s getting it taken care of.) We did a quick barre and got to working on cleaning up recital, since it was our last day to do so. We changed one bit to make better use of our time, and specified other things. It’s the only dance I’m actually confident about. The other two I’m still a bit nervous for. (although we do have a rehearsal for one of them tomorrow.)
When the recital dance felt good and polished, Mrs Alex rolled out the TV they have in the back room and put on Coppelia from 2002 as we all worked on making headpieces for our costumes. I had never seen Mrs. Alex dance before, and also never seen Coppelia, so it was hard to focus on trying to get the headpiece done when the video was so exciting.
She was the only person I knew in it, as I wasn’t near dancing then, hardly being in middle school at the time it was recorded. I wish I had been in dance then and knew all these people, but there’s nothing that can be done about that.
I had a pretty decent base for the headpiece, but then couldn’t seem to get it to do what I saw in my head past that. At one point, it looked eerily similar to something the Pope would wear. I had a decent fourth attempt, but it just wouldn’t stay how I wanted it and I got frustrated. Before I knew it, we were out of time. I took it apart down to the base I had and was going to take it home to work on it when Ms. Munro busted out this effortlessly wonderful headpiece she just came up with out of nowhere. She gave it to me and I modified it to the specification Mrs. Alex had and, voila! Headpiece done. Ms. Munro didn’t even realize how much stress and anxiety she saved me. I’m beyond grateful.
As I was getting ready to leave, we talked about recital and when I would be there and how I can help. I realized I only have two dances to change from one ballet piece, to a completely different jazz piece, and then only two dances to go from that completely different jazz piece back to a ballet piece, but one with black tights and shoes. I don’t know how I’ll do it all in time, but I’ll figure it out. Mainly because I’ll have to. I’m going to try and jet glue my shoes to get a bit more life out of them, since ballet runs apparently snap them right where I need the strength. Hopefully the jet glue works so I can use it moving forward. Ms. Munro commented on how well Swan Lake went and how we all really looked great. I didn’t know what to say, and thank you didn’t seem sufficient. She said she was glad that some of us covers were able to get to dance it, even though it was sad for the ones whose spots we took. I told her I had talked with Lauren–the one I covered–and told her that I was really sad for her, but really glad to be able to go in for her. She said she was glad I was able to, as well. That if she couldn’t do it, at least I could. Really a best case scenario for something like this, as with some people it could cause tension. But Lauren is a super mature person and we all know it wasn’t anything we saw coming at all. And this is the point of covers. At least we were committed and the show was able to go on without great stress. We did our jobs, we did what we were cast to do.
It meant a lot to me to hear it from Ms. Munro. And we joked about how it seems I’m destined to be the cover for bird roles, but end up going in last minute. We joked about asking Julie if there is a bird role in Snow White so we can keep the tradition alive, haha!
This year has taught me a lot, and I’m grateful to be on this side of it. I’ve grown as a person, learning more about myself and people skills and overall life skills, as well as a dancer–specifically being pushed in Swan Lake in both areas, in ways I am grateful. I’m better for having been through this year.
Now we look forward to recital, and on to summer classes, which will lead us into a new school year. I haven’t decided what classes I’m going to take yet, but I’m not at the point of having to decide so I’ll wait to freak out about it until I reach that point.
I’m just going to enjoy the ride.
And now, enjoy some pictures from yesterday’s headpiece making party 😂
Another Night at the Barre 