Showcase
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.
The First Performance
This was our first time participating in all three performances at the Ailey Citigroup Theater for Kat Wildish's Performing in New York Showcase. Last year, the weekend of the show was canceled because of hurricane Irene. We only were able to perform for one of the rescheduled performances. This year, we made it through all three performances in great style.
Final Rehearsals for Showcase 2012
Our final rehearsals were a lot of work. Time was up! We were no longer focused on actual choreography as much as we were focused on running the piece ad nauseum so that all blocking issues could be smoothed out.
Coming Together at the Gates of Hell Week
Choreography
The Showcase choreography is finally coming together!! Our Tuesday Hustle rehearsal cleared up many questions about the core movement and the additional Hustle Waltz section. The Thursday West Coast Swing rehearsal gave the dancers a chance to stitch together all the parts, including the finale.
Pushing the Envelope
Sangria and missing people
Monday's full-cast rehearsal went very well. Fortunately the sangria was back (thanks Lily) and everyone was raring to go.
Unfortunately, I was missing two cast members who had previously told me that they would have conflicts with this rehearsal. That always makes the blocking more challenging as I have to account for phantom people. It also makes things difficult on their partners who are solely responsible for the changes and nuances that are created in rehearsal.
Showcase 2012 is underway
Our West Coast Swing and Hustle Showcase 2012 choreography is well underway. Our journey will take us to the New York City stage of the Ailey Citigroup Theater. We started our choreography July with the "unveiling" of the song, a version of the top song Call Me Maybe. Although the original version is by Carly Rae Jepson, we are using a disco remix by Nicholas Wells.
Anna and I were so excited to use this version of the song. We had even considered using the song for ourselves but quickly realized how perfect it would be as a group number.
Performance at Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater was a Success
Our West Coast Swing and Hustle performance as part of the Performing in NY Experience at the Ailey Citigroup Theater was a tremendous success. Personally, it was one of the most memorable moments for me both as a dancer and as a teacher.
There’s something indescribably special about working very hard in rehearsals for a special moment, then for that special moment to be as momentous as it was supposed to be.
For us, it was 19 of our dancers surviving almost 12 weeks of rehearsals, getting through the inconveniences of a hurricane, being postponed and finally having a powerful performance. The feelings of such an accomplishment and the memories that are indelibly etched are priceless.
Hurricane Irene affects Dance
Hurricane Irene
When last I wrote, we were on the "final road" to our performance of our West Coast Swing & Hustle showcase at the Ailey Citigroup Theater. However on Friday afternoon, I received a call from Kat Wildish (the producer) indicating that, because of Hurricane Irene, our Sunday double performances would be canceled and our Saturday evening performance would run an hour early.
Of course, I was disappointed but I was also relieved that I could avoid having my Connecticut cast drive into New York City on Sunday - the supposed worst day of the storm. I immediately started calling the cast starting with the two dance captains, Kim Brolet and Josh MacDonald. I had just finished reaching everyone and getting everyone ready to perform on Saturday night when my phone rang again…it was Kat.
Last Monday rehearsal before Ailey Citigroup Theater
Tonight, we had our last Monday night rehearsal for our West Coast Swing and Hustle Medley. Although we still have one more rehearsal before arriving to the Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York City, this was the main rehearsal to answer questions and add some character to our showcase.
