When You Believe...
Me.... A dreamer? Absolutely! But dreams do come true - it's just our job to make it happen. The older I get, the less time I have for fear. It's simply a matter of ignoring the fear of failure and hanging on to your gut instinct that anything is possible if you want it badly enough.
Like many studios and companies throughout the United States, 'tis the season of Soldiers and Snowflakes....of Flowers and Sugarplums. This month, artistic directors will be putting their finishing touches on all that glitters in the Kingdom of the Sweets. For some, it will be the fiftieth year, for others like us, the first.
Think about it...... first child, first recital, first solo... nothing can replace that first time. It's something that you will never forget. Whether it was a triumph or a fiasco, the first time is memorable. This December will mark our first annual "Nutcracker" at the Edna Lee Dance Studio where Ashley teaches. It is also her first time choreographing the full-length classic. Fueled by an eager crop of dedicated ballet students and some amazing parents, studio director Mary Moran decided to take the plunge.
And a plunge it is...sometimes a dream, sometimes a nightmare. The secret is not allowing yourself to become disillusioned. Yes, it is a mountain of work, and at this point, we're standing near the bottom looking up. But we can see the top, and we'll get there by show time.
Having this one special goal has brought an amazing sense of unity and support to the entire studio. At the cast announcement gathering, Mary announced half-jokingly that there were no tears allowed. It must have worked. She and Ashley stressed the importance of each role in the production, down to the tiniest cherub. The cast list was then unveiled and everyone seemed happy. If they weren't, they should be commended on their superb acting skills.
Maybe I'm kidding myself, but I've always seen events in life as relative. A starring role in a school play can hold the same value to that student as an Academy Award to a seasoned actor. As "Nutcrackers" go, there are the spectacular, million dollar productions and there are struggling young companies trying hard to establish themselves, like ours. Both are equally important to those who give their heart and soul to make them work.
Like other similar productions throughout the United States, this "Nutcracker" will hold a very special significance for all of use because we have so much invested in it. Because it is small, every costume, every prop, every movement of the dancers on stage will have been created with love by someone in our studio. It is the beginning of a legacy that we will leave to other young dancers for years to come.
One of the biggest perks of creating a production from within is the relationships built along the way. You find that most parents will go to almost any lengths for the good of their child. The talent pool that we discovered just within the parent volunteers alone was overwhelming! I had barely posted the sign-up sheets for volunteer committees when the names started to appear. We had carpenters, seamstresses, artists, fundraisers, planners, and people with all sorts of great connections. What we don't have access to, we are willing to learn. It's amazing what you find when you send up a flair!
The gratification of working with something from the ground up is overwhelming. Even the work ethic of the students in their everyday classes seems to be heightened as they work toward the production. There is a tremendous sense of pride and responsibility in knowing that so many of us have a vested interest in the final outcome.
It is a gift to be able to give this opportunity to young dancers and to the community as well. But without 100% commitment from the entire studio, it could not be done. When the curtain rises on opening night, it is because of the efforts of people you may never see, not just those in costume on the stage.
When you see the beautiful costumes, it is because the fundraising committee raised enough money for our volunteers to make new costumes or embellish the old. When you comment on the gorgeous scenery and props, it is because we have carpenters and artists who have donated their time to make it happen. When you see dancers on stage, it is because the teachers are giving them choreography to make them shine. When the clock strikes twelve and the tree lights blink, or when Clara executes a 30 second costume change, it is our backstage help. You don't see any of these people, but all that you do see is impossible without them.
There are miracles in numbers. There is enormous power in numbers. When the curtain closes on the last performance, we will all be the proud owners of a wonderful sense of accomplishment and pride for a job well done. Our "Nutcracker" would still be a dream if we saw the problems instead of the possibilities. One of my favorite quotes of all times goes like this... "The only limits we have in life are those we place upon ourselves."