Back in early October the girls started taking dance lessons at a local spot called Lakes Theatre Arts. Sadie opted for tap and Paige opted for Street (fusion of Hip Hop, Contemporary and Jazz). They had participated in an after school dance program back in NYC, but had been out of the dance loop for over a year and were excited to jump back in.
All [NZ] Spring our Thursday afternoons were consumed with dance classes. Each class was gearing up for the big year-end performance. This year's performance was a rendition of Little Red Riding Hood.
Each of the girls were in two show numbers:
Sadie: dancing in a frilly dress to "Please, Mr. Postman" by the Carpenters
Paige: dancing as "tradies" (aka tradesman/craftsman in building or electrical trades) to "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits
Sadie: dancing as a cowgirl to a version of "Old Town Road" by Postmodern Jukebox
Paige: dancing as a "gangsta grandma" (complete with wigs & canes!) to "Die Young" by Kesha
There were very strict hair & makeup requirements to ensure the dancers could be seen and photographed well amidst the stage lights. I happily deferred to our neighbor, Jayne, who took the reins on that show prep.
Both girls expressed that they were equal parts nervous & excited for the big show. They did two performances; one Saturday afternoon, and a second Sunday afternoon. The Bohagirls (and all the 80+ participating kiddos) did an excellent job! When we picked them up after their first show on Saturday, the girls were ecstatic, saying how much they loved it, and how happy they were that they "get to do it again" the next day! What better response could you ask for?!
Family & friends of dancers had the opportunity to include "break a leg" messages in the show program for a small donation. We solicited inputs from our family back in the States, trying to make the experience even more special for the girls. A bit embarrassingly, our collective messages for Paige & Sadie took over half the page, ha! But mission accomplished to help make the girls feel extra loved and supported - from near and far - on these special performance days.
By the time we got home on Sunday night, both performances in the books, the girls were utterly exhausted. Paige literally put herself to bed :)
Overall, it was a great experience for both girls. Even though they'd done performances with their NYC after school dance program, this Lakes Theater Arts one was far more "professional". They got to experience all the excitement & theatrics of dress rehearsals, elaborate costumes, makeup, hair, big stage, lights, a big audience. Most importantly, they got to feel part of something bigger than themselves, work hard at learning a new routine and push through stage nerves to strut their stuff on stage :)
p.s. Unbeknownst to us, the girls were featured in their schools' weekly e-newsletter! I almost scrolled right past them as I was breezing through the school news. Even the girls didn't know they'd be in there. Check it out!
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