two days on, two days off.

So, i'm back from break with the company and it's already starting off on a somber note. We have been just taking company class in anticipation to starting our spring season only to find that the "spring season" might or might not happen. Apparently we were unable to book a few places on time and the ones we were able to book are MONTHS apart. Now that's fine and all, but our director informed us that there is only enough money in the budget to pay us for 2 or 3 weeks rehersal time and then the rest for shows. So we won't be starting rehersals for another week or two. I'm concerned because we are doing sleeping beauty. How can we get this ballet up and running in under 2 weeks?? There are a lot of parts and variations to be learned and none of us have done this ballet with this company yet. I know i'm freaking out now and that in the end we will be able to pull it off. We all just have to pull together and work hard to make this a good (great) show.

I'm a little concerned financially. We have been off for a little over a month and a half. That's no income for a month and a half from the company. I am pulling in enough to make it from my two teaching jobs, but i'm a little concerned with the drop of money i rely on from another source. But, as i have said before everything WILL be ok. I'm a tough cookie and it takes a lot to really knock me down. It helps that i'm a budget queen and can stretch $20 a long way. I'll just do the best i can and appreciate what i DO have.

and if i was making more money i would buy the following :

Dancing on my grave

I've been wanting to read this book for some time now. --> I feel like it's been on my back burner list of 'must reads', but i just keep forgetting about it. I think i'm going to order it and finally take the plunge. My friend read it back in the day and had nothing but positive things to say about it.


"Prima ballerina Kirkland and her husband have written an emotional diatribe about Kirkland's dance career. The ballet equivalent of a "tell-it-all" Hollywood biography, this is a horror story of pain, anorexia, emotional difficulties, and casual sex, culminating in four years of cocaine addiction that brought her career to a standstill. At odds with both Balanchine and Baryshnikov in her insistence on putting her own dramatic interpretation into her roles, she is highly critical of Balanchine's training methods and Baryshnikov's partnering skills, which she says lacked finesse both on and off the stage. Her serious accusations that ballet training produces mindless mechanical dolls, and that the rigors of the life drive dancers to drug abuse, are undermined by her shrill, fragmented tone, making this a sad self-justification. Marcia L. Perry, Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield, Mass."

economy

I got this email the other day from this ballet company that i had subscribed to. (they send you updates about show ect.)


"...At the Sacramento Ballet, we are also gravely challenged by this economic reality and will be unable to continue our season as planned. However, this does not mean that we are closing the curtain on our 54 year history! We are doing everything possible to reduce our expenses and streamline our organization in order to weather the storm. We are grateful for the support of our leaders in city and county government; however, we know the answer does not lie in public funding alone. We need a broad base of community support in order to survive, and we need it now!"



It's so sad to see such a well established company struggle. My heart goes out to those dancers who lost their jobs and for everyone else who work so hard to make a company survive. I can't even imagine what kind of impact this well have on smaller companies if the well off ones can't make it. Makes me pretty bummed. :o/ When is this "change" coming?

focus

get moving

wow, haven't wrote in a while. guess things have been slow and unproductive around here. our company is back from break. i didn't go this week because i just couldn't motivate myself back just yet. i will go next week though especially with an audition on monday night. it's a small audition for an opera. no, i won't be singing. they are looking for six dancers for their 5 show run in philadelphia. it's a short gig, but some extra money would be nice. i don't even know what they are looking for or if i'll get the part, but it's worth a shot you know?

i was semi-productive today and emailed a few companies basicly asking for anything : part-time/full-time/ or guesting parts. i'm looking for anything right now that can put some money in my account and give me the opportunity to perform. i feel like nothing is safe now adays with the economy. the arts are taking a hard hit so the chances of getting into a company are even harder now than before. but, i'm stubborn and persistant and not ready to throw in the towel just yet. there's gotta be SOMEthing out there for me right?

on a side note, my body is going to hate me in about 3 days. going back to ballet after not dance for a month (minus the 3 classes i took) is going to take it's toll. i probably won't be able to walk correctly after day three of classes, but i'm ready to jump back into it. dancing just makes me feel like a different person. happier. lighter. i can go to class pissed off and it takes the edge off. in a way i can say - 'i'm going back to my therapist' for those of you who haven't tried dance as therapy i suggest it. it releases all those happy chemicals into your body. true fact!

alright, i'm off to eat some Pho with the boy ;) and in case you don't know what that is, feast your eyes on this -->




hope everyone is well. and most importantly, happy.

~Sara~

Sitting at the airport waiting 4our flight 2miami!!! -> :-) v-cay!
~*sara*~

old shoes

nothing new to report really. just enjoying time off from the company and just started back teaching. i think i might take an open class from the rock school. gotta stay in shape so might as well start now! i'll be off to miami this coming sunday (11th) for 4 days and 3nights of relaxation. then i can come back refreshed and be thrown back into the whirlwind of auditions,class,rehersals, and we can't forget stress! but it comes with the territory and above it all i love what i do! i should stretch...that's my ending thought.
~Sara~