Dancing in the Spotlight
Standing in the spotlight is a very frightening, gut-wrenching accomplishment. Dancing alone in the spotlight can be even more so. I experienced dancing in the spotlight two years ago, when I played the part of Clara in the Nutcracker. Of course, it all started with dance, or rather, without dance. My mom was driving me to the studio, but I was not feeling well, so she strode inside to inform my teacher I was unable to dance that day. When she walked back out, Mother casually asked me, “Did you know you’re going to be Clara?” My jaw dropped. I had never been more surprised than I had been at that moment. My ballet’s company, which provided additional opportunities to dance, ensured my automatic placement. I was already …show more content…
Already warmed up and dressed in my costume, I was stretching onstage when I heard the announcer’s voice, telling the beginning of the Nutcracker tale. Hurriedly running to my position on the stage, I took a deep breath. Oh, I had never been this nervous in my life, and this was not even my first performance! Heart in my throat, the curtains opened, and I smiled at my friends, wishing them luck. Music rang throughout the auditorium, and I began dancing as Clara. Before I knew it, the first act flew by, and I was preparing for the second act, where I met the Sugar Plum Fairy and performed my solo for her. The Sugar Plum Fairy, in her rose pink tutu called for the other characters to appear. Standing in the black velvet wings, the Nutcracker, who was in human form, led me onto the stage. I appeared excited to meet everyone, and introduced the Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy to each other. Time slowed down. My heart thumping wildly in my chest, I swallowed. Now was my time to dance. I took a deep breath to calm myself, before confidently taking one step to the left. I did an arabesque (air ruh besk), a step on my tippy toes, with my other leg straight out behind, and my arms reaching toward the wings and the audience. I did another arabesque, and my right foot came down in front of my left. Then I did a tiny jump called pas de chat (pah duh sha), which means step of the cat, and twirled around myself, my arms coming up over my head. Almost there. I could hear my instructor’s voice in my head, coaching me on my steps, saying “Up, up! That’s it; both feet, really fast!” Remembering this advice, I repeated it to the other side, and then motioned with my arms for the Sugar Plum Fairy dance with me. I danced all the steps again, curtsied to her, and stood waiting for the following track to
Standing in the spotlight is a very frightening, gut-wrenching accomplishment. Dancing alone in the spotlight can be even more so. I experienced dancing in the spotlight two years ago, when I played the part of Clara in the Nutcracker. Of course, it all started with dance, or rather, without dance. My mom was driving me to the studio, but I was not feeling well, so she strode inside to inform my teacher I was unable to dance that day. When she walked back out, Mother casually asked me, “Did you know you’re going to be Clara?” My jaw dropped. I had never been more surprised than I had been at that moment. My ballet’s company, which provided additional opportunities to dance, ensured my automatic placement. I was already …show more content…
Already warmed up and dressed in my costume, I was stretching onstage when I heard the announcer’s voice, telling the beginning of the Nutcracker tale. Hurriedly running to my position on the stage, I took a deep breath. Oh, I had never been this nervous in my life, and this was not even my first performance! Heart in my throat, the curtains opened, and I smiled at my friends, wishing them luck. Music rang throughout the auditorium, and I began dancing as Clara. Before I knew it, the first act flew by, and I was preparing for the second act, where I met the Sugar Plum Fairy and performed my solo for her. The Sugar Plum Fairy, in her rose pink tutu called for the other characters to appear. Standing in the black velvet wings, the Nutcracker, who was in human form, led me onto the stage. I appeared excited to meet everyone, and introduced the Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy to each other. Time slowed down. My heart thumping wildly in my chest, I swallowed. Now was my time to dance. I took a deep breath to calm myself, before confidently taking one step to the left. I did an arabesque (air ruh besk), a step on my tippy toes, with my other leg straight out behind, and my arms reaching toward the wings and the audience. I did another arabesque, and my right foot came down in front of my left. Then I did a tiny jump called pas de chat (pah duh sha), which means step of the cat, and twirled around myself, my arms coming up over my head. Almost there. I could hear my instructor’s voice in my head, coaching me on my steps, saying “Up, up! That’s it; both feet, really fast!” Remembering this advice, I repeated it to the other side, and then motioned with my arms for the Sugar Plum Fairy dance with me. I danced all the steps again, curtsied to her, and stood waiting for the following track to