Before the curtain goes up the company has a warm up on stage. This is the time we get our muscles warm and ready to dance. There’s something nice about warm up, though, that makes it important for me as a dancer because it’s the time when you can gather your thoughts and focus on the work ahead. No matter where you are in the day, working your muscles at the ballet barre always brings you into the moment. For me, it’s like meditating.

I have also been walking through the choreography with Alex before each show and trying certain lifts to make sure they’re working. We usually finish when the stage crew is setting up for the party scene or mopping the stage around us while we try to squeeze in one more pirouette before going to get dressed in our costumes.

The first weekend has been going beautifully for the company and being in the theater has been amazing.  I especially love getting to bond with the company members and watching the other dancers get rewarded for their commitment to their roles.  It’s also nice to see a lot of the faces who work behind the scenes for the company walking around the theater during the rehearsals and performances. We really have a dedicated team, and it’s so nice to be a part of it. The audiences have been warm and have an amazing energy that makes it easy to enjoy performing. I can’t wait to get back out there tomorrow. Merde!  

- Alexa Valentine