Audition
So last week word went out on the local dance mailing list: come audition for a performance group. And I thought, "eh, performance, I'm not that good yet, not gonna bother." Then a second email went out saying all you need to do is be able to swing out and charleston with some confidence. And, well, yeah, if I can't do that, I've been wasting a lot of money on private lessons. So, trying not to think too hard about how *much* I'd really like to perform, I signed up.
When I showed up last night, I almost turned around and went home. The people organizing this are only looking for two leads and two follows--and there were five leads trying out, and no fewer than eight follows, some of whom I know to be better dancers than I am. But hey, I was there, no point in not going through with it. Besides, people who don't try never succeed, right?
It was actually pretty easy. We had to learn part of a partnered routine, the California, which I've already learned (for some value of learn--it's a long routine). It was only the beginning, easy part, so I didn't have any trouble. Then there was a break, and we had to learn a short solo jazz routine. Also not a problem, as it mostly consisted of moves I already knew--boogie forward, fall off the log, some charleston kicks, etc. In fact, by that time I was feeling pretty confident. I watched some of the other dancers--all people I've known and been dancing with for at least a year--and realized I was the equal of any of them. And the fake "performance smile" I'd plastered on my face had turned into a real one. I was having fun.
And suddenly I realized I didn't give a damn if I made the team or not. I danced well and with confidence. The rest is gravy.
(Facebook comments are here.)
When I showed up last night, I almost turned around and went home. The people organizing this are only looking for two leads and two follows--and there were five leads trying out, and no fewer than eight follows, some of whom I know to be better dancers than I am. But hey, I was there, no point in not going through with it. Besides, people who don't try never succeed, right?
It was actually pretty easy. We had to learn part of a partnered routine, the California, which I've already learned (for some value of learn--it's a long routine). It was only the beginning, easy part, so I didn't have any trouble. Then there was a break, and we had to learn a short solo jazz routine. Also not a problem, as it mostly consisted of moves I already knew--boogie forward, fall off the log, some charleston kicks, etc. In fact, by that time I was feeling pretty confident. I watched some of the other dancers--all people I've known and been dancing with for at least a year--and realized I was the equal of any of them. And the fake "performance smile" I'd plastered on my face had turned into a real one. I was having fun.
And suddenly I realized I didn't give a damn if I made the team or not. I danced well and with confidence. The rest is gravy.
(Facebook comments are here.)