Final performance
Looking back, it's almost crazy to think that we spent 7 weeks preparing for a 4 minute and 48 second moment on stage. And at 7pm on Saturday, August 17, 2013, as we waited backstage to be called into the wings, we realized that it would be our final performance of our West Coast Swing and Hustle Showcase piece.
Final performance
Looking back, it's almost crazy to think that we spent 7 weeks preparing for a 4 minute and 48 second moment on stage. And at 7pm on Saturday, August 17, 2013, as we waited backstage to be called into the wings, we realized that it would be our final performance of our West Coast Swing and Hustle Showcase piece.
Cast Pictures
Before performing we needed to take some cast pictures. One of pictures was of the entire cast of Kat Wildish's Performing in NY Showcase and the other was of our Connecticut West Coast and Hustle Dancers (above photo). This second picture is always important to me because it represents our most active dance community members. I intend on changing the Showcase picture on the front page of my website from the picture of 2012 to the picture of 2013. For me, it's a "changing of the guard".
Nervously Comfortable
After performing on Friday night (opening night) and Saturday's matinee, our dancers began to get comfortable with the regimen before the performance. Our dancers warmed up, drilled their challenging movements and created micro-rhythmic bonds with their partners. What was once a totally new experience, became a calculated expectation.
Even with the new familiarity, there was still a nervous energy in our West Coast Swing and Hustle group and the entire Showcase cast backstage. That nervous energy is what makes live theater great! Every performer always wants to do well and have the perfect performance. That idealistic vision makes every performance sacred. The pure reason why live theater is so special for an audience is because the "attempt to be perfect" is more valuable than a "perfect copy". And for that reason - all performers are nervous before they walk on stage.
Backstage
As we lined up, we all realized this was our final performance. Our West Coast Swing and Hustle dancers were very excited to close their final performance on a good note. We already knew the tickets were sold out and we would have many friends in the audience. We had every reason to give a fantastic run.
The Last Performance
We waited in the wings for what felt like hours. I was so excited to get on stage, but I knew that we had to keep our energy calm. I had advised the cast to only give 80%. That's right, only 80%. You see, when performers have too much nervous energy, they tend to try to give too much, 110%. But, in dance, that leads to blown out movements, lack of concentration, collisions on stage and, at its worst, injuries. So, when the music started and the lights came on, my first thought was, "keep it calm".
Our performance was over in a blink. As much as I kept my focus, I also enjoyed the familiar feeling of the hot lights, the dark void of the audience, and the surround sound. I made sure to look at the dancers around me to savor their tour-de-force moment.
It was a great final performance!
As we walked off stage, through the double doors of light, it was like becoming a civilian again. Our dance journey had concluded. It was almost bitter-sweet. I wanted to go back through the double doors, back into the darkness of the stage with my cast and do it again, and again. Instead, I enjoyed the exhilarating feeling of completion with hugs from every cast member. No first places, no finals, no disappointments like at a competition....this was dance as an art, with the humble yet satisfying feeling of an artistic vision fulfilled.
Looking Back(stage)
One of the dancers from the piece that followed ours had presence of mind to video record what was going on backstage while our West Coast Swing and Hustle Showcase was on stage.
Our music inspired them to move and expel their nervous energy before their performance. Our movement onstage, which they could see through a video monitor at the stage door, kept them psyched to dance. Great art begets great art!
Looking forward to the After Party
Our after party took place after the performance. Most of the cast was able to come and eat, drink, have fun with other cast members, friends and family. The After Party / Cast Party confirmed the wonderful sense of accomplishment and brought many dancers together who all had the same artistic vision realized.
Congratulations to all the dancers and people that made this production possible. Are you ready for the Showcase 2014?
