Opening Night Cast Party

After our first amazing performance. I barely had time to celebrate with the cast back stage. I changed back into civilian clothes and ran to set up the final aspects for our opening night cast-party, not just for our group but for the entire company.

Setting up the cast party

I got to Gossip Bar and Restaurant just in time, no one had arrived yet. I moved some of the tables and chairs to create an open space for dancing in the larger area of the room and set the tables in smaller side. I knew that with so many dancers things were bound to get exciting!

The cast and guests arrive

The most important item, my iPod nano got plugged into Gossip's in-house stereo system...and the music started!! All I had to do was wait. Within 5 minutes our first guest arrived. It was Charity Miller, who had attended the performance. I was so happy that she was there and that she had supported all the other dancers. Within another few minutes more people started arriving. Bobby and Renee arrived, Yvonne came, Mark showed up, and my parents, who also saw the show, arrived with Anna. Dancers from other groups arrived too. Within about 30 minutes we had a full house of dancers, friends and family. But it was when Kat Wildish arrived with her photographer husband Arthur and her main assistant Taylor that the party truly rocked!

Time to celebrate

There are moments in time when such celebration is warranted - this was such a time. I was so proud of our dancers and I think they were proud of themselves. They had worked very hard to get to this magic moment. Their premier performance was exceptional. I dare say this - there is no Jack & Jill or competition that can compare with such a joyous occasion in such a collective way.

Becoming art

By the end of the cast party, I realized that this was a night that I would remember for the rest of my life. I had danced around the room without a care in the world watching some of my student dancers enjoy the feeling that only a performer can know. That night they had become art - a moment when movement, music and observer become one for instant in time. And... we still had two more shows to do.