libby's Blog

Day 6 + 7
Date: Aug 29th, 2008 11:38:17 pm - Subscribe
Mood: crummy

Not much to report. Yesterday (Thursday) - I didn't go to class since I just had to set Waltz and then learn Rats. It was nice having the morning free.

My back still hurts when I bend forward sometimes, especially if I'm trying to do a ballet pose and I haven't had class.

Today was a quiet day as well - one of the company members taught class. Let's just say that there are two types of teachers (in my opinion) - ones that I want to emulate, and ones that I want to not be like. This one was the latter. Nothing bad - just that his combinations are like Dir 1's, not flowing, awkward, killer. Giving difficult combinations is not a bad thing but when you feel like you can't dance because the step is too awkward? Yeah, not a good idea.

And then rehearsal was (for me) short and sweet. Just a run of Snow and Waltz and Rats. Then I ran for the bus and came home.

My toes are getting a little better. I noticed, a couple of days ago, that my feet are swollen. Not my ankles, which are perenially swollen, but my feet/toes. Maybe that's why my shoes feel too tight, and maybe that's also why my toenails are black/blue. I thought maybe my feet/toes were swollen because of the toenails, but now I'm thinking it's the reverse. Hmmm, interesting.
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Day 5
Date: Aug 28th, 2008 5:38:01 am - Subscribe
Mood: idiotic

My toenails hurt so badly - even wearing flat shoes or just to walk. I'm pretty sure the problem will go away in a few days (especially if I don't have to wear pointe shoes).

We had a short class this morning - was only supposed to be barre for an hour, but the teacher spent about 45 minutes at barre and then 15 minutes in center. I like teachers who can give a good short barre. Dir 1 cannot.

Then we had a lunch break, plus another hour waiting for some people to show up (they have school in the morning). Finally, we ran through the piece once and then the choreographer left for the airport. He was supposed to stay until Friday afternoon, but since the piece is already done and we spent a short while cleaning the piece already, he decided to go home early. It's just as well, since my little toes are in so much pain.

We worked on some Nutcracker stuff but all in all, it was a quiet/uneventful day.
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Day 4
Date: Aug 27th, 2008 3:18:26 am - Subscribe
Mood: discarded

A low-key day today... my toes still hurt (more specifically, my toenails, especially my big toe nails) but it was a bit more tolerable today.

During class today, we were doing a step (a small/low renverse that ends in 4th) and as I was falling off balance, I turned out my standing leg more to make my falling off balance less noticeable. What was funny was the teacher thought it was beautiful moment, like I was doing the step that way on purpose. Haha!

I don't the piece is really a classical tutu ballet (the short tutus). I think a romantic tutu would be a better fit (romantic tutus are the long ones) but I don't look good in romantics so I'm glad we are wearing classical tutus. I think classical tutus are the only costumes that I look fairly good in.
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Day 3
Date: Aug 26th, 2008 1:59:00 am - Subscribe
Mood: sniffly

If I said I was not the least bit disappointed with the piece, I would be lying. It's not the worst piece I've been in (where there is one lead girl and everyone stands on the side and blends in to the wallpaper) but it's not going to be one of my favorites.

I just don't like ballets that feature favorites... on top of that, my experience with this choreographer has been great in the past. Last year, he re-staged a piece that we did a few years ago, and it was great. Well, now, this experience will be such a sad way to go out.

And I hate when choreographers say things like "oh, and you'll be coming on again in a moment" and then they don't put you back in or they run out of music. It would be less disappointing if they didn't say that to begin with.

I have 2 more spots where I'm dancing by myself and the rest of the girls are on the side. It's nice but nothing really shows off any of my strengths.

I just have to keep reminding me that as this is going to be my last year, I just need to do my best and forget about everything else. Casting is what it is - I don't have a say in it. As for class, before - the choreographer would give me corrections, correct my turns, etc. But these days, he's too busy correcting other students. Though I did get a few compliments today (which is definitely more than I got yesterday).
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Day 2
Date: Aug 25th, 2008 3:32:37 am - Subscribe
Mood: squishy

Cast list for Nutcracker went up today. No real surprises, but I don't really agree with some of the casting decisions. But whatever.

I also got a sneak peek at the casting for the repertory show in the spring. Back in May, I was hoping for a certain part in this one piece, but after thinking about it lately, I changed my mind. Besides, I was pretty sure I was going to get a more technical (less acting) role, because I'm the only one who is technically capable. So that's what I ended up with, and I'm fine with it. And again, I don't really agree with some of the other casting decisions but it's not up to me.

Like I don't understand - if you have a dancer who is training to go pro by next summer, who has had major injuries and is not yet fully recovered, why would you cast her as the lead in 3 ballets already? Especially when you have other dancers that could fill those roles? Big picture? Hello?

Anyway, back to the ballet we're working on this week - I have some partnering stuff (just me and a guy dancing - no one else). I'm okay at partnering, but I just don't look good doing it. And I feel like I look really bad, which is not helping. Ah, well
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