It all starts in September with the blooming school year. Students at Dancer’s Workshop—big and small—audition for roles, dreaming of becoming one of the leads. Throughout audition week each student pins a number to their leotard and gives their. DW staff come together each day for about a week to decide roles and how they can best represent each student as a dancer and individual within their role. Dancers spend this week anxiously waiting to hear what role they were assigned, knowing that whether it’s what they wanted, or not. Regardless of disappointment or elation, they have to put their best foot forward and keep a positive attitude.
After audition week, it's off to Saturdays when the JRC starts rehearsing first. In early September, solos are blocked and small sections are choreographed. Small rehearsals usually last until the beginning of October. These days are short and simple, with older students working one-on-one with their teachers and choreographers. As the weeks pass the younger students also begin learning their respective parts. It's not till mid-October that leads are introduced to scenes, and transitions are formed.
November is when the days get long for the JRC, starting at 9:30 am and lasting until 5 pm for some. Full scenes are combined and, eventually, a full run of the show happens the weekend before Thanksgiving break. These days are long and tiresome, but the dedication and hard work is well worth it— after break dancers buzz as they step foot on the stage for the first time.
When break is over students come back rested and ready to get into full swing for the performances. This is when tech weeks start: one week is dedicated to spacing and the dancers, and the next is focused on the lighting, props, and sets.
These two weeks are grueling, every day spent in the theater, meaning that dancers finish school at 4 and are on the stage in costume by 5. For high schoolers, this entails that homework is done backstage and naps are taken on short breaks in the dressing room. Yet throughout the busy nights and tiring days, an indescribable excitement is building through the theater air.
By the end of the second week, there is a full dress rehearsal. With costumes adorned and lights blocked, dancers perform the entire show in the empty theater. Congregating afterward for notes and feedback. The next day marks the beginning of the performance weekend, starting at 8 am for a warm-up and then school shows at 10 am on Friday. School shows often also act as a dress rehearsal of sorts; for the tech to get solidified and dancers to get used to the palpitating heat of the stage lights.
Next is Opening Night, a whirlwind of emotions and nervousness. When the show is introduced— backstage is an environment like no other. Dancers line the wings jumping and laughing as all of their hard work is about to be received. Everything goes black, dancers place on stage in an excited whirl, and as soon as the signal is given the curtain goes up and the music begins.
After the show, the dancers change and meet loved ones in the lobby, going through another round of notes. Eventually, crashing satisfied and tired into their beds. Ready for another day!
Saturday morning marks the start of the longest day of the whole production. JRC Begins their morning at 8 celebrating traditions in the company like Secret Santa, company class, and zig-zag, where they clap out each member. The next hour is spent in the dressing room screaming lyrics, laughing, and doing makeup. The beginning of the show is marked by another round of introduction and nervousness. This first show on Saturday morning is the matinee and is particularly special as all of the kids and parents come to this show, meaning it can be testing for dancers as the young audience members can be unpredictable. But afterward, these young showgoers have the opportunity to meet the dancers on stage as a meet and greet is held. For an hour or so dancers lurk on stage with achy feet and tired eyes, receiving yet another round of notes, before they are released to go eat delicious food and take naps in vanity chairs.
Before they know it though it's time to start the process over again and prepare for the night show, makeup and costumes are adjourned, ankles and knees wrapped, and the dancers are placed for another show. When lights come up the energy backstage is riveting as each one of the dancers goes through their scenes receiving a vigorous applause and taking a bow by 9 that night. It’s time for yet even another round of notes before the dancers can slink their way towards home.
Sunday marks the last day of the performance–repeating the whole process. The show isn't until 5 that night so dancers get to sleep in and eat hot breakfasts that morning. They’re called at about 2 pm: warmup, makeup, costumes, then music and lights.
A shift is often felt on this last day as dancers cherish the final moments of this months-long process. When the final bow is taken that night and seniors are handed flowers, the curtain closes on a tired, happy, and a weepy bunch of dancers. They all congregate in a giant hug with the departing seniors in the middle, mascara running down their faces as they face the reality that not only do they get to sleep but that it’s all over. Meeting loved ones and friends in the lobby once more before the JRC has to clean up the dressing room and stage during a process called strike. One last hug is exchanged and all the dancers reflect on the warm memories created. A nostalgic feeling of remembrance and joy overtakes older dancers, especially seniors, as they have risen through the program, from cast A and B to company members, and finally taking the last bow.
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