Weekend Update

Sorry if you saw some duplicate posts, blogger was acting funny that day. I think it's all cleaned up now.

I've had the privilege of co-choreographing some works for the Arvada Center's spring dance recital. The director, Christina, will be out of commission for a few weeks post surgery, so she's having me help set and rehearse the numbers. They are doing the Velveteen Rabbit, La Boutique Fantastique, and the 12 Princesses. I wasn't familiar with any of these short ballets. This weekend I worked on Boutique, and later I may work on 12 Princesses.

It's been a little nerve-wracking. I only had a couple hours to familiarize myself with the ballet they set in 1994. Then when I met with Christina, we completely changed it and I was choregraphing with her on the fly. I didn't even have time to take notes, so last night I was working off memory while setting it on the dancers with her. Then, again, I only had this morning to finish the dance that we set this afternoon. It's also the first time in 8 years I've choreographed a piece for actual dancers (vs. drama students). I forget that I can make it complicated, so that part is fun, but I'm also nervous because they have higher expectations.

But today went well overall. Christina was appreciative of my help and said she couldn't have covered half the material we did without me. I think that's an exaggeration, but I'm glad I can help. I brought my video camera and shot the parts finished today. Afterward Christina asked me to help her remember where we stopped working, and I said it would be easier if I just gave her a DVD to look at! Showbiz is a bare-bones editing suite. I don't like it very much, but it got the job done. I wonder if I can learn to post video to this blog. . .

With this recital, I mostly want to get my foot in the door for future shows. I could see myself taking the reins for other projects, and maybe getting a tuition discount.