Rehearsals

This week, we put together our first show with the singers. That was such a cool experience. So much talent in one room. We also had an office run yesterday, which basically meant we performed for our bosses and everything had to be close to show-ready. I wore all black and rocked red lips. I was a little nervous, but I think they liked it. Sarah and I dance well together, which makes it more fun. We already learned our second show and will begin yet another one tomorrow. Each show is unique and we get to perform more than one style. 



Clearly, we are taking advantage
of technology while we can!

There is so much to learn that I have to write down all of my numbers and videotape each dance. Hopefully it will become second nature by the time we get on the ship. There are still 3 shows left to learn and 3 weeks to perfect everything. I'm just now getting into a routine here in Cali. We found a cute lunch place called Veg It Up. Best blueberry smoothie I've ever had! For fun after rehearsals, my cast created our own version of Apples to Apples based on our jobs/random things. We all get along well, so I think 8 months on a ship with them is going to be a blast.

Hollywood

 

5 of us cruisers went to Hollywood today! Pretty sure we saw the houses of many celebrities as we drove up the occasionally creepy, winding hills.  La La Land is pretty cool.

 

 

Then we went to the Walk of Fame.

 

 

Hoping to have my own star one of these days.

 

 

 

Rodeo Drive was my favorite. Wish we could have spent more time there. I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Except I couldn't buy anything, because I've yet to find a sugar daddy (kidding). Paid a visit to Sprinkles Cupcakes where they have cupcake ATMs! Best invention ever in my opinion. A little too convenient... Of course I couldn't just have one. I got a chocolate marshmallow and a peanut butter.

 

 

Thankfully, we took an extremely long walk on the beach in Santa Monica to burn off these guilty pleasures.

 

 

There was even a giant yoga class on the pier. Would have loved to participate had I known.

 

 

I'm really enjoying California!

 

I feel like Marissa Cooper



My friend Danielle, whom I met at the Miss NY USA pageant, showed me around Santa Monica last night. I absolutely loved everything about it. We started at a Mexican restaurant and ended up playing pool with a few guys from Whales (random). After that, we headed to the pier to ride the roller coaster and ferris wheel. I felt like Marissa Cooper from the O.C. (minus Ryan Atwood and the Kick-Off Carnival).

Love her!



Pier.

I’m convinced that I’m living in a dream world. I could picture myself moving here. Then again, I can picture myself living everywhere I visit and enjoy. That’s a real problem, but I’m working on it. It was great to catch up with her. We are very similar in that we let nothing stand in the way of our dreams. She’s such a go-getter and it’s so inspiring. We left the places we're from in order to accomplish goals that are only attainable elsewhere. It's nice to be in the company of people who understand this crazy performing arts world.  My castmates are this way as well. Everyone is here living their dreams. I feel more comfortable in this new place knowing I have people like this to guide me.  

Cleaning Up

I forgot to mention the other day that our contract was extended. I will be at sea until mid-June. At first I was concerned, because it's such a long time to be away and wanted to wait and adjust to ship life before I agreed to it. However, I think that by May an extra 6 weeks at sea will seem like nothing. We'll be back in the country by that time and that just means that I'm able to do what I love for a little bit longer.

Haha ...this is not part of the choreography!

I feel so much better about what we learned yesterday after our rehearsal today. We spent 2 hours cleaning each of the dances and going over numbers. I can learn things super quickly, but tend to forget them just as fast. I think the movement is becoming more natural to me and I can begin focusing more on the performance aspect and selling it now. I am so sore. I can't lift my leg after doing countless developes. We have tomorrow off though. Woohoo!

First Day

Today was the first day of rehearsal for us dancer girls. There is only one other dancer, Sarah. We get along and perform well together, so it should be a great contract. It felt like we were on our way to the first day of school. We packed lunches and took a picture (ha!) We learned an ENTIRE show. My brain is a hot mess right now. Not only do we have to remember all of the intricate details of the choreography, we must also stay together and utilize numbers, depths, props (feathers, balls, masks). We will be learning at least 1 show per week.  Our teacher videotaped our most difficult piece for us to practice and I also keep a notebook so as to not forget anything major. Tomorrow we will spend a few hours cleaning what we've learned thus far.

 

Do What You Love And You'll Never
Work A Day In Your Life.

After rehearsal we just chilled by the pool in the California sunshine. One of the guys in my cast told me that I have pretty feet. That made my day! It's important to have good feet in dance :P It really hit me during rehearsal today that I am living my dream. I've worked incredibly hard and dealt with so much horrible rejection in order to get here, but I would never sacrifice my experience for anything. Dancing can be physically and emotionally draining at times, especially when rehearsing long hours. It can also be a life-saver and a release unlike any other. I know that I'm so fortunate to have a job that I actually enjoy. Hopefully I won't be eating my words once we board the ship. I've never been on a cruise and have no clue if I get sea sick!

La La Land

Saying goodbye to my family and puppy was the worst. I could not stop crying. I know that this is a wonderful, life-changing opportunity, but leaving never gets any easier. After 2 long flights, I finally made it to Los Angeles. I absolutely love my cast. Everyone is so talented and kind. We went out to a fun Mexican restaurant last night and bonded. So fortunate to be with people who have done cruises before and can show me the ropes. Two of them are from the UK! So cool. I feel like I've known them forever. The apartments are going to take some getting used to, but we won't be here long. I feel like I'm in college again (sleeping in the top bunk!)

Singer/Dancers

Today was our orientation. We went over rules and information about rehearsals and cruising. We were measured for costumes and given a tour of the studios where we will be rehearsing. Rehearsals begin tomorrow and run 8 hours a day, 6 days a week. I'm really looking forward to touring Hollywood and maybe seeing some friends on our days off.

Our cast!

 

 

I'm homesick, but I think that once I start dancing and have something to focus on, I will be fine! They already want to extend our contract by 6 weeks. That means I will miss the first Rockette audition in May, but will for sure make it to the August one!

California Dreaming

One of my best friends, Jenn, wrote a really nice post about me. Please check out her great blog!

 

...Not sure how great communication/technology will be in the middle of the ocean, but I promise to try to update my blog as much as possible. I head to rehearsals in LA this week and am so looking forward to meeting the rest of the cast. We have trips to Disney, the Hollywood sign, and the Walk of Fame planned for our days off. I know rehearsals will be rigorous, but I love having something to focus on and can't wait to learn the shows. I haven't performed for a large crowd since I danced for arena football in 2010!

 

 

It is going to be especially hard to leave though considering we got a puppy! She is going to do dog shows though, so that will keep my mom occupied while I'm gone.