To say that I'm a proud mama hen would be an understatement. My brave daughter decided she wanted to audition for the "Nutcracker." We heard the Moscow Ballet was coming to perform the ballet and allowing local ballerinas to audition for the cast.
Kennedy and I watched a few clips online and I gave her the option to audition. She jumped at the chance. I wanted to make sure she knew that not everyone would be cast... and that it's not like recital. Dancers would be asked to perform for the Russian ballerina and our dance studio owner and (according to the studio manager) selected based on their performance, height, hair color, etc. Sounds BRUTAL for a 7-year-old, but she understood the process and seemed ok with it. Even hopped out of the car once we got there and shouted, "LET'S DO THIS!"
She got her number, I signed the release, and as her fellow dancers filed in -- the nerves set in. ((I was nervous hours before we got there)). She had a panicked look on her face and said, "Mom - what if I don't make it?" My heart melted.
I wasn't sure what to say. I wanted to reassure her. I wanted her to feel confident but not cocky. I wanted her to have fun but also try hard. I wanted to tell her that there will be lots of times when she'll be disappointed in her life, but we gotta press on.
Instead I held her sweet cheeks in my hands, looked in her eyes and told I loved her no matter what.
She stood up, walked into her audition and an hour and half later -- she emerged with a HUGE smile on her face. She was cast as an angel.
No matter if she was cast or not, I'm proud of her for auditioning! It was a very gutsy move for my sweet second grader. She amazes me more and more every day.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
