To Paige's delight, the studio she takes from does a huge Nutcracker show every year. There are something like 200 cast members. They hold auditions in September, rehearsals throught October and November and the 2 performances of the final show are in December. It is a massive undertaking. Paige really wanted to be on a stage and be in a show, so I let her audition. Of course, nothing is free but if you are willing to pay, everyone who auditions gets a part. Paige auditioned with her friend Riley and fortunately they were both cast together. Paige has two parts: one is a mouse in the battle scene with the Mouse King and the other is rose petal with the Sugar Plum Fairy. Her costumes are so adorable and she was the mouse selected to be shot during the battle - so she also gets a death scene, how awesome.
She has loved preparing for the show, and we are looking forward to seeing the final product. I will say the only downside has been joining the "danceworld." There is nothing wrong with this particular studio, in fact I am pretty happy with them. It's the general "danceworld, dance mom" thing---It's not MY thing. I just can't imagine devoting the time and money that some people do. Plus all the costumes, dance gear, shoes, etc. that you need starts to add up quick. I know a lot of this stuff is pretty standard dance experience, but I thought it was "crazy" when I got the information sheet for the costume and make-up requirements for photo day. Besides needing different colored dance shoes for everything, I also had to purchase a list of very specific make-up and hair supplies. As I stood in the drugstore buying make-up for my 9 year-old, I just had to shake off the bewilderment as I searched for "Loreal lipstick, coral #604". Even sillier, I had to buy foundation and because Paige is so fair, she can't use what I use. I had to buy her a shade called "Vanilla". Vanilla-colored foundation? I just thought that was hilarious. Anyway, I'll survive and keep doing it because Paige seems to really like it.
Ashley had a big audition day as well. In Illinois every year schools hold these huge music education festivals, called Illinois Music Education Association or IMEA. The state is divided into a bunch of different districts and kids can audition for band, orchestra, or choir. It is very competitive and each festival district includes multiple school districts. Ashley's choir teacher encouraged her to audition. In preparation she had to attend a bunch of early morning practices and learn a few pieces of music. She auditioned as a Soprano. She sang a skills piece and then a Soprano selection. You have to sing unaccompanied in front of judges.
On the day before the audition, Ashley stayed home from school sick. She had a slight fever and overall just felt sick and achey. Dave had felt the same way a few days before and his turned into a stuffy head cold and cough. Our hope was that Ashley wouldn't have a cough and be unable to sing. Fortunately, she was okay the morning of the audition but nerves had her pretty anxious and even a little teary. Thank goodness seeing some friends once we got to the audition helped distract and calm her. She walked out of her audition, saying, "I think I made it." She was right. Now she has a month to learn the music for the upcoming festival.
And one final audition note. Ashley also auditioned for her school play and made it. It's a comic book superhero play and Ashley was cast as one of the superheros. She is "Blossom" who uses her magical flowers to put her enemies to sleep. My favorite line (and I'm not kidding about this) is: "Hello there, want a whiff of my magical flowers?" Should be a good show!
I'm so proud of those girls! I can't tell you how BADLY I wish I lived close enough to attend all these events!!! Take tons of pictures, Jen!
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