This lovely moment of equilibrium:
Most of the principals sitting in the back, taking a snack break and watching Puck and the corps run a lovely piece to Mendelssohn's gorgeous score.
My partner and I are on the same page. I'm starting to feel secure in the choreography. I'm eating cold, delicious snap peas.
I'm still surprised and grateful that, somehow, I'm here.
When your Artistic Director gives you 6 weeks' warning that you're going to be wearing white tights for the next ballet
So it means so, so much to be doing this now, and to be trusted with challenging choreography, and to be working so much.
It could still all be over in the blink of an eye—injuries end ballet careers all too often. I'm not sure how I'd feel if that happened, but it means so much to be where I am right now.
Related: I was much more worried about getting whipped in the eyeball by errant luxurious locks; turns out that's much less dramatic than simply accidentally catching them in your mouth, where they then somehow remain until you and your partner get far enough apart 💀
I suppose this could be avoided if I'd just learn to keep my mouth shut while partnering, but tbh that seems like a stretch 😅
watching rehearsal video of pas de deux, and every time I come to a passage where I'm not really doing anything, I'm astounded by the fact that apparently I'm utterly unaware that I have, like, hands. And arms. 🤦
I'm reminded they again that artistry in dance is less a question of technical proficiency in the steps and more one of knowing what the hell to do with yourself *between* the steps 🤦🤦🤦
First pas de deux rehearsal today for a new ballet our AD is creating. Very adventurous choreography & I'm so here for it 💖
Now I'm off to Kentucky for my MIL's 80th birthday celebration. Had to park on the roof of the garage but had a surprisingly easy trip through security, so now I'm chillin until the plane boards.
Going to class tomorrow morning with my OG ballet besties in Louisville 😊
Today, my birfday:
✅ got cast in a piece we begin this coming Monday
✅ danced a double pas de deux
✅ danced a contemporary pas de trois premier
✅ watched the premier of a piece I choreographed that both the audience and the dancers enjoyed
✅ took a lovely little nighttime walk on the way home from a very good dinner
This has been a really amazing day. There are no words for how amazed I am, sometimes, that this is my life.
Nobody:
Absolutely nobody:
Me, midway through the double pas I danced tonight: ... Have I been pointing my feet, like, at all??????????
Not me quietly checking my email six million times bc our next Choreographer-In-Residence said she's gonna send casting info to our AD today 😅😅😅
Asher