En Pointe

Two years ago,
at the beginning
of the fourth decade of my life,
and having taken ballet
on and off
for about a decade,
I decided that I wanted to attempt
to go en pointe by my next birthday.

Mind you, I struggle with remembering:

1) the French ballet terms;

2) the warm up lessons
after the fourth or fifth exercise;

3) any ballet combinations that
require more than two parts;

4) not letting my other activities
interfere with going to ballet class;

5) and, basic proper alignment
for ballet dancers.

However, I set the challenge for myself
and attempted to attend
more than my usual one class per week.

Also, I was encouraged by
one of my children's ballet teachers,
who is also a parent
of one of their ballet friends,
who is an extraordinary ballet costumer,
and, a great friend.

She gave me specific exercises
to strengthen my feet
and
reminded me to use my core muscles.

Just before the end of the calendar year,
one of my friends that had been taking
ballet classes said that she had gotten
permission to start en pointe
in January, just around my birthday.

So, I went out and purchased pointe shoes
at the beginning of January.

And then, just as it looked like I would be
en pointe by my birthday,
a snow storm hit
and
closed down everything
for almost a week.

So, after sewing on my pointe shoe ribbons,
which I was supposed to have waited to do
after the teacher had approved
the first pointe shoes,
I got to go en pointe at the barre
just a few days after my birthday.

I would love to say that I improved
over the next year,
but I was unable to get in my
pointe shoes on a regular basis
and remained doing barre work.

In order to improve en pointe,
this January, as part of my make-up
classes for all the classes I missed
in the fall due to other activities,
meetings, Nutcracker duties
in the costume room and props,
I decided to take the class
for students (around 11 years)
who were about to start
en pointe for the first time.

Today,
after my fourth pointe class
this year,
I went en pointe
in the middle of the floor.

It wasn't pretty,
but I did manage at least
three times
to go on full pointe.

I only wish my children
had witnessed it
because at least one
of them seems
to be a little doubtful.

Oh, well, I know I put my
fear of falling behind me.

En Pointe!

Nutcracker Backstage Version

One of the fun things about Nutcracker is the camaraderie among the backstage helpers.

While sewing costumes, building props, moving into and out of the theatre, and working backstage during a performance, patterns begin to emerge in the way people act and react, often based on their part or their child's part in Nutcracker.

Over the years, a Nutcracker Backstage Version has emerged in our minds.

We have only discussed this version and never really written anything down, so here is my attempt at some of the ideas.

Act I: Scene 1

Backstage Costume Room less than five minutes before performance:

Costumes are being frantically sewn and pinned together at the last minute.

Young ladies with nervous giggles are being sewn into their tutus.

Pointe shoe ribbons and boys' shoe elastics are being sewn at the last minute and blood is being drawn with each stitch.

Party Men are nervously asking how to put the costume together.

And, Party Boys are being wrangled to make sure that their costumes are in order.

Act I: Scene 2

Backstage Wings:

Dancers are jumping up and down to keep warm and fight off nervousness.

Dancers are checking each others' costumes.

Little ones and some Nutcracker veterans are being yelled at by the backstage crew to leave the props alone.

And, there are lots of "shs" being sounded.

Act I: Scene 3

As Clara gets ready to go on stage, her mom is frantically making sure that every curl is in place with more hairspray.

Clara's hair ribbon is getting pinned to her head with cries from her mom of:

"Now don't cry!

I'm sorry!

Yes, I should have used a bobby pin, not a safety pin that was meant for your dress ribbon.

Stop yelling at me!

Smile, it's time for you to go on stage.

Remember to smile..."
(as Clara runs on stage just in time).

Act I: Scene 4

The director is frantically trying to get someone's attention on stage because they forgot to take off their backstage socks that they wear over the ballet shoes.

Note: Socks are worn over the ballet slippers backstage so that wax is not brought on stage, which could make the floor too slippery for the pointe shoe dancers.

Act I: Scene 5

The backstage crew is cursing under their breath because of all the Party props that have to be removed off stage before the Battle begins.

To top it all off, no matter which way they attempt to clear a path for themselves and the props, there are dancers and moms getting in their way at every turn.

Act I: Scene 6

The Snow Scene begins and beautiful dancers run on and off stage between their pieces.

All one can hear is "THUD, THUD, THUD"
(not to the music)
of the pointe shoes on stage

and

the PANTING of the dancers as they try to catch a quick breath before running back on stage.

Intermission:

Parents, family, and friends are flooding backstage to congratulate the dancers and take pictures among the chaos of trying to prepare for Act II.

The little ones are being wrangled to get their costumes off before they try to eat a snack.

Company Ballet Dancers are doing a last minute hair, make-up, and costume check.

Mothers are telling their daughters to go to "So-and-So" because it is easier to deal with another child that is not your own whiny one.

Act II: Scene I

Angel moms are obsessing over the costumes, trying to make sure they are "perfect" before their princesses go on stage.

As the angels go on stage, their moms are trying to take pictures with flashes on their cameras.

Note: Flashes should never be used at a dance performance because it can temporarily blind the dancers.

Note: Flashes going off backstage can often be seen by the audience- a very big "no, no."

Backstage crew is muttering under their breath about "newbies,"
as the angels and their moms take their time to leave the backstage wings and walk where they are not allowed in a possible "audience may see backstage zone."

Act II: Scene 2

Instead of dancers on stage, the moms and some dads in some very gaudy costumes have decided to imitate the dances that they have seen year after year to the same music that they hear year after year.

The dancers are looking very appalled backstage.

Act II: Scene 3

The backstage crew and props people have put police tape around the props as a reminder to not touch.

The Nutcracker has been wrapped in bubble wrap before being returned to Clara on stage because the backstage props crew is tired of repairing it year after year.

A few Party Girls are in tears because the Fritz took their chocolate and other candies and tried to rub it on them.

And, Fritz, well, let's just say he really is in
"Time Out"
(since spankings are no longer allowed in this day and age).

The End!