"Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart." ~Ecclesiates 5:19-20
Boy. Did I do a lousy job at keeping ya'll informed this past month, or what?! It has been a WHIRLWIND! Though I have failed at consistently updating my blog and keeping you 'in-the-know' about my life and the on-goings here at Ballet Magnificat, you better believe that I've got memories to recount, and pictures to share with you now!
After 30 days of living in the dorms of Belhaven University and eating cafeteria food, chaperoning 12 adolescent girls during that time, paired with 47 hours of teaching ballet, 10 nights of leading small group bible studies that never ended on time (that doesn't included the other nights when we would lead special events such as creative worship), 20 nerve wrecking minutes of public speaking (all company members are given the opportunity of sharing a personal testimony over the mic in front of hundreds of people!), juggling all that along with our responsibilities of being professional ballet dancers which involves daily ballet classes and rehearsing during lunch hours, 2 performances during summer camp, and over the course of the whole program after witnessing multitudes of students surrendering their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ and joining the family of God, I think it is safe to conclude that this year's Ballet Magnificat Summer Dance Intensive has been PHENOMENAL; jam-packed with fun and excitement!!!
Here, we like to say, "Our summer camp is a Christian ballet summer camp, but it is not only for Christians, nor is it only just ballet." Each year God uses our summer dance camp to draw people to himself, and it is a major privilege and honor to be a part of and witness. This year the theme for our workshop was "Unshakeable". The theme verse was Romans 12:2
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
My awesome group of girls (pictured below) memorized this passage!
Me, the 12 precious lives I was responsible for overseeing, and my awesome assistant!
I believe that it is safe to assume and say that most all of the 300+ students, counselors, teachers and staff that participated in this year's workshop were all transformed by the work of the Lord, to some capacity, over the past four weeks!
My dorm room at Belhaven University
Here am I with a group of students in level 6 who I got to teach variations class to.
Teaching a ballet technique class.
Below is a video clip of one of our evening events that we like to call 'Creative Worship'. It is a time where we simply worship God however we desire, and being dancers, this includes freely using our talents, giftings, and passion of movement and dance to worship.
Provided on the weekends for the students, were conditioning classes. We tried to make these classes a real event for them to look forward to! We usually put a theme to our conditioning classes, that they can dress up accordingly. In the past we've done 80's, Superheros etc. This year we went with "Gangster". Check out the footage below of Bess and friends from the Omega Company leading the class. I promise we are nice! ^_^
One Sunday evening, my group and I had a time of
"Testimonies, Tea, and Tears". It was a very special and sweet time.
Last Day. Move Out Day. Empty Room. Sad Sight.
...but I've been saving the best for last. My exuberant, sing-songy group of girls produced this entertaining video that I believe encapsulates our time and life in the dorms, during the Ballet Mag summer intensive. Sweet as can be, I just love seeing their faces in this video. Perhaps I am a bit biased, but surely this video will at least bring a smile to your face!
Again, I must apologize for such scarce updating during this past month of July, but I do hope you enjoyed the recap I provided in this post. Returning to my regularly scheduled program; I am bubbling over with excitement about all the new blog entry topics, DIY's, projects, and ideas that I have coming your way! Also, I have some exciting things coming up with the start of the new 2016-2017 season, including a trip to Brazil in just 5 more weeks, that I can't wait to tell you more about! Your going to want to stay tuned.
A lot is happening around here! We are above and beyond excited for what the Lord has in store for our 2016 summer worshop! Please stay tuned for future updates!
“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”
~ Luke 8:39
Presenting with excitement, I introduce to you Testimony Tuesdays!!! A testimony by definition is: a formal written or spoken statement, a public recounting of a religious conversion or experience. The Bible commands us in numerous places to bring praise, glory, and honor to our God by proclaiming, declaring, and telling about His marvelous works to others. That is the purpose and heart behind this installment for my Tuesday posts. Each Tuesday (more or less), a testimony will be shared here involving the recounting of salvation, redemption, overcoming, and/or healing just to name a few; A story that brings glory to our God and in which we might be encouraged, spurred on, and challenged with at the same time.The stories that will be shared will either be of my own personal experiences, excerpts from books, testimonies I find via youtube or other media sources, as well as YOURS! I would love to know and give you the opportunity to share here with us a testimony of your own, of whatever fashion that involves the Lord doing a transforming work in your life. Just email me or use the contact me form over in the sidebar to shoot me your testimony and I will see what I can do about posting it on a future Tuesday! You may choose to have your name be known or anonymous. I look forward to hearing from you!
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My Dear blog readers,
How has life been treating you lately? I hope you are doing well!
Today I would like to talk to you about life, specifically mine! Being in the age of my youth, I have only just begun to discover, understand, and come to terms with all the many facets of life that there are that we can be confronted with. Life has its good times, hard times, happy times, sad times, and all the while we deal with whatever life personally presents us with, elsewhere the world is seemingly going crazy all around us! It can all seem so overwhelming, but no matter what life throws at us let us remember that we can find consolation, rest, and peace in one thing, in our one Lord and Savior and in all the many enduring promises that He has established for us.
"His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay."
So far, it has been a great year for me, characterized by growth and new birthed motivation. This year marks my fourth year being a member of the touring ballet company and ministry Ballet Magnificat. As I commit to another season with them, I would like to share with you that after much seeking of the Lord over the past couple months, He has very clearly confirmed to me my calling, which remains in ministry and has been so sweetly encouraging me in it. He has affirmed me in continuing with Ballet Magnificat, but has also recently been highlighting to me the other giftings, talents, and desires I have, that I never before perceived could be used for His glory. Through an arduous process of sanctification this year, my eyes and heart have been opened up to the fact that aside from only just my dancing, God would like to use me in ministry in so many more/other ways than I have previously, narrow-mindedly comprehended.
Transparently I will explain to you that this year has been a battle for me in fighting off distractions of the world, false idols, vain hopes, and complacency. You see, I have been doing this dancing thing for several years now and I have found myself in a very stable, secure and smug place. Sometimes I believe that is when the Lord likes to shake things up the most.
-Destractions of the World: With the constant adverse change and discontentment that our society seems to sow more and more of these days, it is hard to not buy into all the worry, and fret, and complaining that goes on, and is easy to get distracted, carried away, and sucked into the fear and drama of it all. But I know what God's word says:
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
-False Idols: Surely I am not the only one who struggles with the temptation of idolizing my career, my possessions, my accomplishments, my achievements, myself ?But I know what God's word says: Mark 8:36 "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" Jonah 2:8 "Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love."
-Vain Hopes: Similar as of that above, I'd simply get caught up in putting my hope in finite, fleeting, worthless things. Perhaps you can relate. But we know what God's word says: 1Peter 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade."
-Complacency: It is a sneaky monster. Remember how I mentioned earlier that I've found myself in a very stable, secure and smug place? Well that is the place where complacency breeds. Prohibiting me from going deeper in with the Lord, I can now see how pride and complacency has the power to compromise the value of my ministry. I touched on in further detail my experience with complacency in the blog entry HERE But I know what God's word says: Revelation 3:15-20 "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."
Those these struggles seemed to be crippling for a time, I can see how it was all a part of God's process of sanctification for me. As metal get's refined and purified under fire, so my faith was also refined and strengthened by the adversity.
"My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name."
I can not give you a summary of my year without failing to mention the brief but intense bout of doubting my faith that I underwent. Yes, you could have called me 'Doubting Thomas'. I am sure there were several things that instigated my storm of confusion, like the weariness produced from the battles I was fighting mention above, but also nearly abandoning prayer, and not spending enough time in the word of God. It was as Mark 4:13 says: 'the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things came in and choked the word, making it unfruitful.' I think visiting a number of 'diverse' churches while being on tour this year also sparked some questioning in me, which actually was really GOOD though! Basically, I was challenged to rediscover the reasons why I believe what I choose to believe, but let me tell you with excitement and confidence that it was the Word of God that carried me through that storm and helped me to see clearly. I now have a new found appreciation and passion for the Bible like I've never had before...as maybe you have already begun to gather. ^_^
"When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil."
I don't think I have ever experienced anything more faith-building, then doubting! I do feel a little like a new baby believer all over again, but I am encouraged reading 1 Peter 2:2-3 which says 'Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.' I am currently, humbly and carefully rebuilding my faith in accordant with what the word of God teaches me, block by block, truth by truth. I can't put into words just how marvelously Jesus has revealed himself to me through His word. He is the Word! He is eternal, ruling, reigning, and coming back! And now that I have snapped out of my daze, I know more confidently than ever that I am ready for his coming, and I am ready to make sure other people are made aware and ready too!
"When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne."
I Do not have an immense amount of evidence to report to you of the Lord working through myself over this past year, as I have largely been occupied with all the teaching, rebuking, correcting and training he has been doing within me! Not to saythat God hasn't been using myself, and the Ballet Magnificat ministry as a whole because He has! We set out to 'plant seeds', and if/when the Lord allows, it is always a major blessing to see the fruit of it. We have toured to a number of states this year including Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas...and have witnessed a number of miracles and salvations! God has been ever so faithful to us this year! Praise his Holy Name with me!
Our nation wavers, truth is compromised as the scriptures predict, and things become more and more corrupt with the passing of days, but let us NOT! Let us stand firm and remain faithful to our Savior and as Romans 12:12 says "Let us be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
"On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand."
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Thanks for reading! Do you have a topic idea or suggestion of something I should write about? Do you have a question you’d like to ask me? Leave a comment below!
*Excepts from the Hymn “My Hope is Built” (The Solid Rock) by Edward Mote
Things have been real low key around here at the Ballet Magnificat Studios. The recital for the trainees and for the school of the arts students is in two weeks and everybody is looking forward to the summer break that is to follow. Tour season for the company has come to a close, and for the next couple of weeks we will just be taking things easy. We keep busy with classes and rehearsing here at the studio. Soon we will begin preparations for our big summer dance camp that will be held in July.
Our summer dance camp is one of the biggest highlights of the year. We company members are given the delightful opportunity of working first-hand, teaching dance classes and bible studies, mentoring, and worshiping with a myriad of young eager Christian ballet students that join us from all around the world. I can't wait to tell you more about it as the time draws nearer. Prior to July, much time is required for planning, organizing, and preparing for the camp, which is the phase that we are about to enter into. Tour season is the best, and I love the summer dance camp itself as well, but the lull of time at the studio between the two; all the class-taking, rehearsing, and workshop preparations can be a challenging stretch of time if you ask me. It is a time loaded with long to-do lists and a myriad of different responsibilities and such as planning ballet classes for the workshop and planning bible study lesson plans for our summer dance camp small groups. Often times, administrative tasks regarding our summer program spill onto our plates as well.
As a professional dancer, every day we take class and we rehearse, even if we don't necessarily have a show coming up. Except for the fact that I am now getting paid (which I sometimes forget), my life from when I was a student four years ago until now, has not changed very much. The profession of the performing artist is very atypical from the more common professions in that a degree is not required or is not what qualifies us in our line of work, but instead, we have to constantly be maintaining our physicality and perfecting our craft, disciplining our bodies by taking class daily to keep them in shape, and remembering choreography by reviewing and rehearsing are daily essential practices, striving to keep up with the high standard of excellence demanded in the arts today. I suppose it is somewhat similar to the life of those professional basketball players I saw playingearlier in the year, who have to keep their skills sharp by frequently executing their drills and practicing their shots.
I love my job and I know that is a privilege, but Sometimes I question, how does it even make sense that I am getting paid to be spending all this time in the studio, doing the same thing I've been doing since I was young? Our service is when we are on stage performing. Again, similar to basketball players who invest much of their time practicing on the court prior to entering the big stadiums, I have to remind myself that there is a TON of behind-the-scenes and off-the-stage work done by dancers that no one ever sees, that goes into putting on a high-quality production that is worth paying for. I don't work hard every day solely for the paycheck, or the accolades. I cherish the great people-interaction and ministry opportunities that come along with doing my job. But honestly, In this season being back at home, with the dance camp looming and so much I need to get done outside the studio, the last thing I want to be doing is working hard taking ballet class. With no performance, touring, or gratifying experience in sight, it is hard to remember the reason why we are spending so much monotonous time doing what we do in the studio...though I know it is what is needed in the end.
Can you relate?
Usually during the touring season, with so many 'days off' due to road time and traveling, when we take ballet class it is more so for the purpose of staying in shape. When we are back at home for a long stretch of time like now, we can actually make more progress in improving our technique and perfecting our craft. It is during these times that I feel like a student again. It is a weird sensation, not bad, it's just that ballet is HARD. My mom always reminds me that you are never too old to learn and discover new things and when it comes to mastering ballet, the sky's the limit! You can never be too turned out, too flexible, too graceful or too strong. Ballet takes hard work, drive, dedication, determination, discipline, perseverance, patience, hope, and humility, as many other things in life do. By and large, one can attempt to cultivate these things in ones own strength, but in this blog entry I would like to disclose to you that there is NO WAY I could have amounted to be the dancer that I am today without my faith, without my God helping me along in those things.
Satan is too crafty in trying to discourage us, trip us up, kill, steal, and destroy us. The following Scriptures are some of my most favorite truths, promises, and admonitions from the bible that I like to hold on to and memorize for strenuous times. These verses will equip for the battle held in our minds and spirits, for the unseen struggle that can sometimes take place in our thought life. Whether or not you are a ballerina like me, I am sure there is something below you can take away so check it out! For Equipping
Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Philippians 4:8 "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
2 Corinthians 10:5 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
2 Timothy 2:3-4 "Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer."
Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled."
1Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
For Encouragement
Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Genesis 1:27 "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;"
Hebrews 10:19-23 "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
For Humility
Psalms 84:10 "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked."
Luke 18:16-17 (AMP) “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God with faith and humility like a child will not enter it at all.”
Matthew 3:8 "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance."
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Thanks for reading!
What is one of your favorite scriptures?
Let me know you stopped by and leave a comment below!
Today we are making our way back home, an eleven and a half hour drive day towards Jackson MS, from a weekend in Kansas City where we spent our time performing and teaching a master class.
Work .
Our sponsors were a Ballet Company known as Dramatic Truth Dance Theater. It was special to be brought in by this particular company because apparently their artistic director and ours, have been long-time companions over 30 years, and surprisingly this weekend was the first time ever that we've partnered together! On Friday, one of our dancers taught a ballet master class at the Dramatic Truth facilities and on Sunday we, both Dramatic Truth and Ballet Magnificat put a show on together at the Bell Center of MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas. Dramatic Truth opened up the night presenting 'Passionate Pursuit' and then we did our ballet called 'Strategem' which is inspired by a book written by C.S. Lewis called The Screwtape Letters.
Our performance that evening was monumental, not only because we got to work with Dramatic Truth but also because it would be the last performance done on tour by our long-time, well-loved company member, John Vandervelde. He has been dancing with Ballet Magnificat for several decades and now is being called away elsewhere, by God, unto something new. He has been such a friend, role model, and teacher to us all. He is a staple to our ministry, an overseer, and holder of numerous responsibilities. His resignation with Ballet Magnificat will be made official come the fall and we will all be sad to see him go; His absence will be felt, but as one of my peers has said, 'This could be the best thing that has ever happened to this ministry.' Though change is sometimes sad and hard, it is also good and promotes growth.
John and I after a show
Play .
Prior to this past weekend, and being that it was my first time ever in Kansas City, I knew not what to expect of it. I was very confused that Kansas City was not in Kansas, but we had fantastic, hospitable, accommodating, hosts who taught us all the random facts we needed to know about Kansas City like how it is the largest city in Missouri or that the official nickname of it is the City of Fountains with over 200 fountains in the city which supposedly makes it the second with the most fountains in the world, just aside from Rome! They also told us about the best places to go sightseeing.
We had a day off on Saturday. It was a gorgeous chilly day. I did not pack the right kind of clothes for the Missouri climate, but I made due. A few of my friends and I decided to visit one of the places that our hosts mentioned called The Country Club Plaza. The Plaza is a beautiful, outdoor, 15 block, shopping mall with tons of stores, restaurants, and fountains! The air deliciously smelled of BBQ there. I thought the architecture was so beautiful! The orange shingled upon the roofs everywhere gave it a Tuscan feel, but the ornateness and colors of the archways and tiles made me think Moroccan. I had a blast exploring The Plaza and shopping with my friends. I've been on a mission to find a new purse; One that is big and durable and tough enough to handle the rigors of my tour life. Unfortunately, I did not find the perfect one for me that day. What stores do you recommend for finding a good purse at a good price?
The Country Club Plaza, Kansas City Missouri
We also made it a priority to stop at Trader Joe's, which you must know is a Ballet Magnificat Dancer's favorite, though unfortunately, we do not have one in Jackson, MS. All of us stocked up on our favorite goodies to take home with us!
I discovered Kansas City to be an altogether charming place! Great memories and friends were made there and they will be forever cherished.
This run-out to Kansas City, Missouri was actually our last stop for the season. Though I thoroughly enjoyed Kansas City, finishing with it seems kind of anti-climactic in comparison to the previous years finishing the season touring in other foreign nations. But that is okay. Things are winding down and for the next couple of months we will be laying low at our home base in Jackson, MS preparing for our big 4-week summer dance intensive(SDI) workshop held in July.
SDI is always a highlight of our year! It attracts hundreds of students from all around the world and we delight in teaching them dance classes and bible studies, mentoring them, and worshiping with them. We sometimes say our summer program is a Christian dance camp, but not only just for Christians! It is so exciting to witness how the Lord moves among the hearts of all the students, and ours! If you would be so interested to stick around, I will be sure to keep you up to date with all the details and exciting happenings leading up to our summer workshop and then on into it. Also, now that my company is spending quite sometime slowed down, settled, and at home, you can expect to see some more posts about my recreational ongoings. Yipee! One of the pros to the "off season" of touring is that now that I am home, I can return to my own cooking, and sewing, and crafting and creating! It is so nice to be reunited again with all of my supplies here at the homestead! Creativity coming soon to a blog entry near YOU! ^_^
Today I will leave you with a song I discovered by Sandi Patti, that I have just fallen in love with, as being a performer, but perhaps you might find appreciation for it too?!
Lyrics to
THE STAGE IS BARE -by Sandi Patti
the stage is bare
The crowds are gone
The love we shared still lingers on
We sang and played and we laughed and cried
And in our fumbling way we tried
To say what only hearts can know
And all too soon we had to go
But now here in this darkened room
Just empty seats there's just me and you
It was so easy to call you Lord
When a thousand voices sang your praise
But there's no one to hear me now
So hear me now, be near me now
The stage is bare
The crowds are gone
Lord now the time I need your song
To give me joy and certainty
When no one else is watching me
I need you more than words can say
Tomorrow's such a daily day
And so I need to feel you then
Holding my hand
Please hold me then
I need you, Lord
Today I thought I would give you a sneak peak into the life of a Ballet Magnificat company artist and what a typical performance day looks like for us! You'd be surprised to know that the majority of what we do on a performance day is actually not the performing! Unlike most ballet companies, who's members solely stick to the dancing and rely on stage crew and specialized technicians to prepare the theater prior to the performance; here at Ballet Magnificat, we do all of that work ourselves! It is one of my favorite things about being a member of this company. We learn to wear many different kinds of hats so to speak. We are taught all the necessary skills such as the lighting and audio of the theater for example, that are required for putting on our full-scale productions. Though it makes for a LONG DAY for us, having a hand in the technical preparations prior to the actual show broadens my perspective and appreciation for what we do as performing artists. Recently we toured to Florence and North Augusta, South Carolina where I very intentionally documented the on-goings of our time there, in order that I may then share them here with you. For the inquiring, go ahead and take a look below at my composition covering all of what our set up days involve!
What Tour Life Looks Like :
8:30AM Waking up in Florence, SC in the most comfortable bed ever; After I get dressed and am made all presentable for my day, I emerge from my bedroom of temporary residence and join my host family (and 4 other dancer companions that they were also able to host) for breakfast. I love breakfast. Because of waking up too late this day, I was unable to have my customary set aside morning quiet time, but at least I was able to get some bible reading time in the night before.
9:50AM This is the time we had to leave our host home in order to arrive at the theater on time to begin our setup and performance day. Our venue for this booking was at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology; Nice place! We start off by unpacking all our stuff from the trailer. This includes all the audio and lighting equipment, rolls of marley for the floor, props, costumes, sales merchandise and more. We had trouble getting the trailer door open at first so our efforts were stalled, but once we got it open the 19 of us company members, as well as some volunteers, got on a roll! Many hands make light the load.
The Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (SIMT)
How many men does it take to open the trailer?
Though I would take the opportunity to snap this photo while waiting for the trailer to be opened, me and my happy friends!
let the unloading begin! That green thing in the foreground is a rented generator. Sometimes if the venue doesn't have a large enough power source, a generator needs to be rented for an extra supply to meet the needs of our demanding lighting and audio equipment.
Emily's job is to tell people where to put stuff! ^_^
As Margot from inside of the lighting bin heads up unloading the stage lights, we assembly line it.
11:38AMBy this time we had finished unloading the trailer and it was time for me to start the assigned set up job I am in charge of which is to unpack and organize all the products we sell and to set it all up at the merchandise table in the lobby. I like that my job has me in the lobby with windows instead of in the dark theater which once my set up job is done, is where I will spend the majority of the rest of my day. I used to be John's helper with doing the audio cables in the theater, but that didn't last long. Though I learned very much about the audio, sound, speakers and monitors, and all that stuff during that season, I am not very technologically inclined and I struggled, so I was reassigned to a job where my natural giftings in the areas of organization and marketing could be used. Surprisingly it takes nearly two hours to set up and organize all of the merchandise. I have a helper, Maggie to assist me. We have a lot of stuff we sell that makes for quite the display! I will take this moment to say: if you are interested in purchasing any Ballet Magnificat Memorabilia please check out our online gift shop HERE. ^_^
Abbey's setup job is to lay down and arrange the marley floor on the stage.
Elisa's set up job is to set up costumes and here she is straightening out some wigs.
Rachel, our tour director focuses the lights.
Here is sweet Maggie, my helper and I setting up the product display.
Our setup in North Augusta at Grace United Methodist Church.
1:23PM Not quite done setting up the merchandise table yet, but we are invited to break for lunch so we happily comply, drop what we are doing, and follow our noses to the dining room.
Yum!
1:55PM By this time I am back at it with the product table, wrapping up last minute details such as making sure everything is price labeled correctly, ironing out display shirts, or straightening out backstock etc.
2:15PM By this time it is time to get into performer mode; Primp and preening time! We are scheduled this allotted time to do our hair and makeup. I like to do my hair first and my makeup second. On this day, we were to perform the ballet Stratagem, a ballet in which I wear a wig so not much is needed to be done with my hair. I like to do my makeup a little different each time depending on what ballet we do. For Stratagem, I like to use pinks and purples.
My Makeup station
Our messy makeup and hair station. I spy, one angel and one demon...
Can you find them? (you might not know what to look for unless you've seen Stratagem)
My finished face! Maybe in the coming days,
I will write a blog entry on the different
kinds of makeup I prefer to use.
3:00PMThis is the time that we began "blocking and marking" which simply refers to the time that we take to physically and mentally walk through the ballet in a compressed amount of time. We review and talk through the placement of where the dancers should be and where they should go, discussing traffic patterns and the pathways we should take to work around sets and other hindrances that their maybe be, due to the platform shape or size. The stage at each venue we perform at tends to vary.
4:30PM Next after blocking, we usually circle up and have a time of devotions unto the Lord. What we do during this time is never the same. Sometimes we'll sing, sometimes we'll share stories, but we always make sure to offer up to the Lord through prayer, our evening and to ask him for fruitful ministry, his blessings and favor, and that all may run smoothly with our show.
A photo I snapped during our time of devotions in North Augusta.
5:00PM This is the time that we started our warm-up class which we take to prepare our body and muscles for the performance.
These are the portable, collapsible, tour friendly ballet barres that one of the guy dancers built for us to use for when we take class on the road.
Here we are taking warm-up class on stage; getting our daily dose of tendus in for the day.
6:00PM This was our thirty minute call time until the show starts at 6:30. We must clear the stage, put on our costumes and do any last minute hair or makeup retouches at this time.
Usually, we don't eat dinner until after the show, so we request that there be a snack table provided which helps us to get through the evening.
It is soon to be showtime!
...
9:00PM The show ran on time and went well! After performing we have a time where we get to go out into the audience and meet people and sometimes pray for them too if the Spirit leads. Then, when that is over and the house is cleared out, it is time to STRIKE, undo what we did during setup, tear down, pack everything back up!
Down come the lighting poles!
And time to pack back up the costumes...
saying goodbye to an again vacant theater.
Back into the trailer everything goes!
10:10PM Thankfully striking everything went fairly fast. After everything is packed back up, at 10 at night, NOW we can think about having dinner. Usually, we request a light dinner that will sit well in our stomachs so late at night.
My random assortment of food! ^_^
11:00PM A successful performance day behind us, we head back home to our host homes in hopes of having a good night's rest after having had such a full day of so much physical activity. Then at 7:30am the next day, we must wake up and head out by 8:15am to travel 145 miles to North Augusta, SC where we will do it ALL OVER AGAIN!
Amo Mi Vida!
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