Firebird premieres in three days. Dress rehearsal is in two days. And–in one manner or another–we all survived tech rehearsal last night. We warmed up in the auditorium (Try planking on a sloped surface sometime– epic challenge.) and then walked through the show. The abnormally rectangular shape of the stage took some getting used to, as well as the three giant trees forming a triangle across the floor, but so long as no one gets lost in the forest that is our backdrop, we should all be prepared for Friday and Saturday.
We ran the show full-out once and then tried Act I again, for lighting purposes, as well as to try out the main tree. Being up there feels like flying. My variation felt undoubtedly better than it ever has on pointe and in costume before, and beneath the stage lights, careful eyes watching from the tech booth above and the artistic directors, stage moms and makeup artists below, it was a joy to get into character.
The lighting for Act II is going to be spectacular. Thunder and lightning and the whole shebang. The strangest feeling, though, was being onstage, taking a moment to encompass human struggle, and hearing, “Good job, Aquinnah,” above the sound system. Only dancers are praised for being in that sort of pain, I imagine, and I think that has been one of the most difficult parts of my last six months. Being sad is exhausting.
Being happy, therefore, comes as a great relief. Watching Darkness melt away and the Sun come out is going to bring a powerful message to the audience’s mind and heart– God’s love is unchanging.
As I think He would put it: “I never left.”
Firebird
Oh my gosh, this is so beautiful and conveys so much of what Firebird is about.
Thank you, Emma! <3