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• buzz takes a look into the life of a dancer leading up to the big show

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Krannert Center for the Performing Arts »
Address: 500 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 333-6700
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Monday, Nov. 09

5:28 p.m. I am called to be at the Krannert Center at 6:30 p.m., at which point I need to be ready to warm up. Early call time means early dinner — I just finished eating despite a lack of hunger in the interest of proper digestion. I’m watching Grey’s Anatomy and trying to convince myself to get my costume/makeup/bag in order to take to the theater. I have zero motivation to restyle my hair because no one will be in the audience or taking photos this evening. I have the urge to shower, but I know my feet will get dirty on the stage floor; I will shower when I get home tonight.

6:35 p.m. I got to the dressing room and bought a sugar cookie to support the senior class. I then went to one of our dance rehearsal rooms to warm up.

7:00 p.m. I was called into the theatre for the start of the show. After watching the tap trio perform, I went back into the dressing room to wait to be called backstage. An assistant stage manager did not come to call us, so myself and three other dancers were late getting backstage. Whoops.

7:50 p.m. Run begins.

7:53 p.m. I realized that the cookie was a poor choice.

8:05 p.m. Run completed. We remained onstage for about 20 more minutes to adjust lighting cues.

8:20 p.m. The cast and I met with our choreographer Linda to receive notes (corrections) on our piece. We all agreed that it was not our best run.

8:45 p.m. Back home just in time to catch a threesome on Gossip Girl. I think it’s time for that shower.

Tuesday, Nov. 10

6:30 p.m. Back at the theater for night two of tech week. I haven’t danced yet today or done my makeup yet, so I’m feeling crunched for time. We ran a section of our piece at 6:45 p.m., but I did not feel at all warmed up.

7:00 p.m. Full cast meeting in the theater. After opening words from concert director Kirstie Simson, I returned to the rehearsal room to more adequately warm up. After about 20 minutes, I was feeling better.

7:35 p.m. We are called to places backstage. We are all there on time today!

7:45 p.m. We run the piece after waiting around for 10 minutes. I got a little cold backstage, but dancing warms me up quickly. This run was substantially better than last night’s run, which means no rehearsal tomorrow afternoon!

8:15 p.m. Back home and waiting for a friend to stop by to pick up her tickets for the show.

Wednesday, Nov. 11

1:00 p.m. I just got home after a particularly difficult modern technique class. It was not terribly difficult in what I was asked to do physically, but rather because I am starting to feel the fatigue of the performance week. It also does not help that I have a million projects to work on, and that I am trying to get everything done before my mother and my boyfriend come to visit me this weekend.

5:15 p.m. I have been staring at my computer for four straight hours doing homework. Sitting for this long before a performance is probably terrible for my body. Whoops.

6:30-7:15 p.m. I just finished taking a warm-up class before the show. I feel a lot more centered, but that class was rough — there was no music, and my body is still angry at me.

7:30 p.m. Getting in costume for the Invited Dress rehearsal of the show.

8:10 p.m. I just got out of the show, and I am feeling pretty good about the run. I was sort of unstable in the beginning of the piece, but I got my ass in gear by the end. Everyone in the audience said it looked great. I can’t wait to go home and shower.

Thursday, Nov. 12

6:25 p.m. I just got to the Krannert Center to find that Linda had left gifts for everyone in my cast in the dressing room — animal finger puppets and bon-bons. In other words, hours of entertainment for 12 seniors who are anxious to perform. On a more serious note, I am hyperaware that I have not done anything physical yet today. I have decided to do my own warm up today in the best interest of my body.

7:05 p.m. I just finished warming up, and I am feeling great. I am getting excited for our opening night!

8:10 p.m. I am feeling great after running the piece! Everything really came together tonight, and the crowd was excellent. I just hope tomorrow and Saturday are equally successful.