The most exhilarating part of the day was hands down our performance in the figure choreography competition. It was the very last thing (except for dance dramas), and was danced on the main stage used for awards. According to the schedule posted, it appeared that it would run co-current with some other things mid afternoon. That was not the case. By the time were getting ready to go on stage, the Oireachtas committee had opened the divider between rooms to allow space for awards. The entire southern region had staked out their seat. The hall was full. The stage was set. We were ready.
From our performance, you wouldn't have been able to tell that within the hour before us walking on stage that we were nit picking and whining about how tired we were and how this was far from some individuals' priorities. You wouldn't have been able to tell that the first time we ever had a full figure practice was in that hour before we went on stage. You couldn't see the drama in the preparation because in that moment in stage, we had finally become a team.
It's one thing to dance for the five adjudicators and parents. It's a completely different experience to dance for five adjudicators and a couple thousand people, all in your hometown. Standing side stage was daunting. All those people are gonna watch us? I can only speak for myself here, but during our walk-on, my heart was pounding and all that was running through my head was "oh my god" over and over. The music started, and withing seconds of our beginning sequence, the hall was clapping along with the music. I forgot my anxiety and just danced. In the few sequences where I was up front, I looked out over the crowd and could see the reactions of the audience. The POSITIVE reactions of the audience. Not a face in my view had anything less than a smile and a gaze of amazement upon it. We, the figure, also had real 100% genuine smiles. Just dancing it was an experience unlike any other. I no longer felt the cramps in my legs or the blisters on my toes. WE were gliding across the floor as teammates. WE were finally dancing with the precision Bryon wanted from us. WE were finally a team.
If just dancing was a surreal experience, then the most extraordinary moment was when we finished and hit the last pose, the ROAR of the audience. WE were on the receiving end of the most thunderous applause imaginable. WE were given a standing ovation as we bowed and walked off. It was a completely exhilarating moment. And did I mention, WE BECAME A TEAM.
A WINNING team.
From our performance, you wouldn't have been able to tell that within the hour before us walking on stage that we were nit picking and whining about how tired we were and how this was far from some individuals' priorities. You wouldn't have been able to tell that the first time we ever had a full figure practice was in that hour before we went on stage. You couldn't see the drama in the preparation because in that moment in stage, we had finally become a team.
It's one thing to dance for the five adjudicators and parents. It's a completely different experience to dance for five adjudicators and a couple thousand people, all in your hometown. Standing side stage was daunting. All those people are gonna watch us? I can only speak for myself here, but during our walk-on, my heart was pounding and all that was running through my head was "oh my god" over and over. The music started, and withing seconds of our beginning sequence, the hall was clapping along with the music. I forgot my anxiety and just danced. In the few sequences where I was up front, I looked out over the crowd and could see the reactions of the audience. The POSITIVE reactions of the audience. Not a face in my view had anything less than a smile and a gaze of amazement upon it. We, the figure, also had real 100% genuine smiles. Just dancing it was an experience unlike any other. I no longer felt the cramps in my legs or the blisters on my toes. WE were gliding across the floor as teammates. WE were finally dancing with the precision Bryon wanted from us. WE were finally a team.
If just dancing was a surreal experience, then the most extraordinary moment was when we finished and hit the last pose, the ROAR of the audience. WE were on the receiving end of the most thunderous applause imaginable. WE were given a standing ovation as we bowed and walked off. It was a completely exhilarating moment. And did I mention, WE BECAME A TEAM.
A WINNING team.
Goals: Turn out. Learn how to do it.
Days till . . . Wait. What am I counting down to?
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