A New Dance Season

So here it is, the beginning of another new dance season. (Our first competition was held in January 2016). The hectic frenzy of deadlines to finish costumes has given way to anxious nerves. My costumes are about to take the stage for the first time. I am so nervous I can hardly contain myself. Why am I so nervous? It is crazy! I am not the one stepping out onto that stage! And yet, I feel the jitters.

To set the mood: Driving to the competition with my daughters, as they too, must compete. Voices in my head checking and double checking to make sure we have everything we need...tights (footless, footed, convertible, stirrup, let alone the color! Tan, light tan, suntan, black)...lashes, lipstick, earrings, shoes? We have double and triple checked everything even before we loaded up our car, but one can never be too sure! All the while trying to appear calm and collected on the outside so as not to incite hysteria, my mind is a three ring circus! Are you feeling the stress level? Deep breath.We arrive at the venue. Unload. Get my girls ready. Sounds simple, right? Those of you in this wonderful world of competitive dance know the hidden truth. It is not always so simple. Deep breath.

Fast forward...the competition is already in progress as I step into the ballroom. Beautiful soloists grace the stage, audience applauds, and then the next, and then the next. And then, a soloist in one of my costumes is next! I can hardly contain myself (on the inside). The dancer's solo number is announced. I hold my breath as she steps on to the stage to take her beginning pose. My creation has come to life. My heart is racing. Her music starts. She moves, my costume moves. She soars, my costume soars. I am overcome by emotion and tears begin to trickle. I can no longer contain my emotions on the inside. Call it pride, a sigh of relief or just plain happiness to have the pleasure to be able to see some of the soloists I have created for in action.

As I have mentioned in an earlier post about myself and how I fell into costume making, I not only watch the dancer, but I also watch my costume and how it behaves. Does it flow when it needs to flow? Stay where it needs to stay? Does it sparkle? Does it sparkle enough? I like to think that I have played a small role in the pride I see in each dancer's face as they step off the stage after a beautiful performance in a costume made specifically for them. That is the reason I love what I do. Thank you to all of the dancers who have trusted in me to create something for them.