Category: Ballet

Sorry I missed the post yesterday. The past few days have been crazy. So, I guess you want to know what I've done since I last left you.

Wednesday I had a TV interview in the freezing cold morning (I'm getting a DVD so maybe I can put it on YouTube).Then we had rehearsal and finished the finale and opening sections. I was excited that we got to end in a fish dive and that Alex made me do triple partnered pirouettes (thanks Alex). Then we went out to dinner with Valerie.

On Thursday, Katy came back and we had a later rehearsal where we ran through everything, tweaking and perfecting.

Friday, we had class and rehearsal. We marked through our variations and then headed over to the Theatre. At the theatre, Katy and I visited some classrooms in our tutus. The kids were so amazed at our pointe shoes and wondered how our tutus stood out. Then we had dress rehearsal which went ok. After dress rehearsal we had the first show. It went pretty well.

Saturday, we went into town for a little while, ate at Sweet Life and then returned to the theatre for a run through of the show. Here Valerie told me to be more playful with my variation and to own the stage like it was my kingdom (which it was).

Sunday, we packed up and headed to the theatre for our last show. I worked on being more playful and Valerie said it was better. I actually felt like the first show was better (steps wise) but everyone else thought the second one was. After the show I said bye to Valerie and we followed Alex to his house where we stayed the night.

 

                

Then, we got on the plane this morning to come home. We got to Atlanta around 2:00 and I called Ms. Joanie to see when she needed me to work with James for Snow Queen. She said to stop by the studion on the way home and she would tell me then. Well, I got to the studio and we decided to do it then and there. So I learned the pas part for snow queen which is really fun. And tomorrow we have dress rehearsal.

So, I'm just all Nutcracker all the time right now. I am so grateful to God and Valerie for this opportunity. I have learned so much and gained a great experience. Well, I better go to sleep; I've gotta get some school done in the morning before Laura comes to visit on Wednesday (yay!!). TTYL, Rebekah 

 PS-let me know how your Nutcracker has been going by leaving a comment.  

PPS-you can read the newspaper article that was in the Telluride Daily Planet here.

So far, I've been interviewed twice and I have a TV interview tomorrow. Check out this website for an article.

 

Photo from Telluride Inside

Yesterday, we were traveling. We flew from Atlanta to Dallas and then to Grand Junction. From Grand Junction, we drove to Telluride. The land is so different here. It's a little desert-y and then here we're in the mountains and it's snowy. Here's a pic from the drive.

 

This morning we met Alex, the Prince, and Katy, the Snow Queen. They're staying with us in the guest house. Then we went to rehearsal and did our variations. It's VERY different dancing at 9000ft above sea level. You get so tired easily. At rehearsal, we worked out the tag at the end of my variation and I think it's going to be okay. I was so nervous about all those turns. Well, that's about all for now. I'll try to post more pics soon. I will be posting throughout the week so check back often.

Here's a video from Project Dance. I love this song by Britt Nicole and the dancing is great.

Just when I thought everything was going well, God made it even better! A few weeks ago, I told you about how I was cast as Snow Queen and Marzipan and that Laura was as well. Well, we've been rehearsing lately and working everything out and I got even more exciting news. Here is an excerpt from my journal.

…she [Valerie Madonia, director of Joffrey South]… invited me to come to Colorado and do Sugar Plum for their Nutcracker! I was so shocked. I didn't think I was that good. I'm still amazed at how it's all working out. I know it's all God. It's [the performance] the week before our Nutcracker so I'll miss blocking but Ms. Joanie is okay with it…I'm speechless. All I can say is that God is good. The cool thing is that she asked Laura too! But it's the same weekend as her Nutcracker [so she can't do it]…

Isn't that exciting? God is quite the gift-giver isn't He? So, the week before our Nutcracker, I am going to go to Colorado and be the Sugar Plum Fairy. I have asked God to use me in this opportunity to shine for Him and to show His love to everyone around.

For nothing is impossible with God  ~Luke 1:37 

 

I was going to have a cute video for you this week but Caleb couldn't get it uploaded to youtube. So instead, I'm going to introduce a fun addition to your dance wardrobe–the Ashleyanne.            

                

This is a pull-on skirt that is very fun to wear. It's cute, stylish and it comes in all kinds of colors. The Ashleyanne was created by professional dancer, Ashleyanne Spinks and is the most innovative dance skirt to date. It has no ties or ribbons that come undone as well as no elastic waistband. And with the wide variety of colors and prints, there is a skirt to match every leotard. 

I have an Ashleyanne and I love it. To learn more or to order your own skirt, visit the website here. 

Well, it's finally out, the long awaited Nutcracker casting. We wait and wait and when it finally comes out we are either super excited (like me and Laura this year), satisfied, or sulky for a few weeks. I have been in pretty much every circumstance. But whether I am excited about my part or not, I try to keep a few things in mind.

• First of all, whatever I am cast as, God has me there for a reason. I know that He has a perfect plan for my life and no matter what happens He is in control. He knows what He is doing and most of the time I don't. (Rom. 8:28)
• Secondly, because I am there for a reason, I will use this opportunity to learn. This goes back to God's plan. In every circumstance, something can be learned. When I was Clara, I was so excited to get the part. But as I rehearsed it, I realized that I had so much more to learn. From that particular part, I learned how to be an artist more than a dancer and that has impacted my whole dancing life.
• The next thing I keep in mind is to do my best. One time, I was cast as an arabian attendant. Now, this was one of the parts that was last on my list of wanting. I was really upset for a while but then I made up my mind to be the best arabian attendant that I could be. I think that decision made the rest of my Nutcracker much more enjoyable. And besides, by always trying your best, you only get better. (Col. 3:23)
• And last but not least, I keep in mind to reflect the One who made me. This is the most important thing to keep in mind because I was made for His glory. I need to give back to Him what He has given to me. (Matt. 5:16)

Okay, so now that you're dying to know. I am going to be Snow Queen and Marzipan this year. I am  so excited. And the cool thing is that Laura is the same thing–and she lives in a totally different state! So, stay tuned for more Nutcracker updates, there will be plenty.

Hi everyone,

I couldn't really think of anything to post about this week but I did want to share this.

Today, I was reading a book (which I will give you a review of when I finish) and the author was talking about waiting. In the chapter she mentioned this verse.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  ~Phillipians 4:6-7

When I read this verse I thought, you know, this goes perfectly with what is going on at the ballet school right now. With all the buzz about Nutcracker casting, I feel that we're are all very anxious, we want to have answers quickly and know what's going on. Rumors fly and we don't know what to believe. We feel all jumbled up and uneasy on the inside.

I don't know what more to say. I just thought that this verse might help calm some anxious hearts. Whatever happens, know that God is in control and He knows what He is doing. And whatever part you get, shine for Him as bright as you can.

Praying for y'all. Love, Rebekah