As
the curtain begins to open, you will see different attributes of me through
dance, music, lights, costumes and characters. Before this production can
be performed, I needed to learn to dance.
Dancing
takes a lot of practice, conditioning, strength and poise. Day after day, for 12 years I went to
every ballet class in pursue of my dream to become a prima ballerina. I wanted
so badly to be like a beautiful ballerina I had seen in the Pacific Northwest
Ballet’s Nutcracker. I rehearsed and rehearsed until my body physically
couldn’t move. I was given corrections and encouragement to strive for better.
I
started off in soft ballet shoes then progressed to pointe shoes. By my eighth
year of ballet I was asked to dance on point, it was a big deal. You must be
asked to go on pointe and you have to be at a certain peak in your dance
carrier. I was overflowing with joy after being asked. I was like a shaken soda
can, just exploding on everyone, not able to contain it. Not just anybody got
the privilege of being asked to dance on point and I was asked. I was
determined to master dancing on pointe and become the best that I could be.
Every
pointe shoe is hand made by it creator and each one is uniquely made. Only one
type of shoe can fit each person’s foot. Once I found that shoe, it was
wonderful. It enhanced my dancing
and we became one. I never left that type of pointe shoe for another, and why
would I sense it was made perfectly for me.
I
started to master aspects of dance, including pointe. It wasn’t just a series
of steps anymore. It became very real and intimate to me. I notice that all the
steps were put together for a reason, to create a dance. Still not knowing what
the production was, or what my character was, I started to learn dances for my
final production. I found myself asking these questions. “What kind of
character would I be in this production? What kind of roll would I convey to
the audience?”
I
found out mid April, that I had the lead character, Helena, in the ballet
production of “Midsummer Night Dream”. My dream of being the prima ballerina
had finally come true. I was completely ecstatic that my teacher would choose
me out of all the other ballet dancers. I was honored. I was so excited to
perform my dances in the character of Helena to the audience. The only thing missing
was my costume.
Costumes
are a big part of dance; they transform you from being yourself, to being a
character. When I saw my costume, I was amazed at how beautiful and unique it
was, made just for me. I could hardly wait to wear it. Now had everything I
needed to play my roll in the production. I was ready, prepared and excited to
dance.
It
was June 17th 2010, the night of the performance and I was nervous.
I walked back stage with my handmade costume, makeup, dance shoes, hairspray,
and tights. My heart leapt for joy when I opened the door to the dressing room
and sat down in front of a mirror that was surrounded by lights. I realized
that my dream of getting ready back stage, as so many famous ballerinas had, came
true. I was so eager to perform
and to be the character I was intended to be.
I
decided that I would start off this wonderful experience by looking around
backstage. I saw other dancers stretching on stage as the lights were getting a
final check and last minute details were being made on the sets. The smell of rosin dust was in the air
from other ballerinas. They were trying to make their pointe shoes less
slippery on the black, shiny, hardwood stage. I then proceeded to return to the
dressing room and ready myself for my last performance.
I
got back to the dressing room to see all my fellow dancer friends getting ready
as well. We all had a marvelous time putting on our make up in the precise way
we were trained to do so. Next, the hair, I slicked back my hair into a tight
bun and sprayed, what seemed to be a whole can of hairspray, on it. I got dressed with my beautiful
handmade costume with nothing but ballet pink tights to complement it. Last but
not least I put on my perfectly unique pair of pointe shoes. I was ready to dance.
All
the sudden I heard the overture begin to play and I ran to my spot. The time
had finally come for me to show what I had learned an accomplished in these
past 12 years of ballet. I took a deep breath and looked to my right, and my
best friend, who was Hermia (Helena’s friend) was standing next to me. I smiled
at her and wished her good luck. Just her being there helped calm my nerves. I
said a little prayer and off I went.
The
spotlight followed me as I turned, jumped and leaped across the stage and part
one of my dance was complete. My heart raced as I was standing off stage,
waiting for my next cue. I came back onstage and danced my heart out. With one
swig of water and a pat with a paper towel to dry my sweat, I was back on stage.
I danced my final dance with the most passion I ever had. I smiled, the
audience cheered and laughed when appropriate. I was thrilled. After leaving
the stage from my last dance, it was time for bows.
As
I entered through stage right, the whole audience stood to their feet and
cheered. I was so overwhelmed with both joy and sadness. My teacher walked
across the stage to me, she had a bouquet with vibrantly colored flowers in it.
They were for me. She handed them to me, hugged me, and whispered in my ear
saying, “You were excellent. Never stop dancing. You’re like a daughter to me
and I will miss you.” Tears began to roll down my face from my overwhelming
emotions. The audience was still cheering and with my teacher on my right and
my best friend on my left, we took on last final bow and the curtain was
closed.
Dance
is such a huge part of my life. I have no idea where I would be with out it.
God has reveled himself to me through dance. Like how each pair of point shoes
is made uniquely, I also have been fearfully and wonderfully made. How dance
takes time, growth and corrections, my walk with Christ has to grow, and be
strengthened. How my hard work for twelve years was rewarded with a lead roll,
with Christ my actions are rewarded in heaven. As I was chosen to play the
character of Helena, I was chosen to be a daughter of Christ. He has given me
this talent of dance as an act of worship to him. My desire is to discover more
about Him through dance and to use it for His glory. As for now, I will
continue to dance, but with my Father as the lead.
