SECOND STORY REHEARSAL #25

March 15, 2017

There’s a New Kid in Town

Due to yesterday’s snow storm, the kids’ schools have delayed openings this morning.  Of course, this translates into a later rehearsal – and messed-up sleeping/eating schedules of the younger children.  We could be in for a rocky late morning…but wait!  Mandy’s younger son Nate is coming for the first time!  Could the novelty of his presence – and his toys – be compelling enough for Eliza and Sebastian to play independently?  Well, yes and no.  While Nate contentedly eats his snack and “takes it all in”, Eliza and Sebastian alternate between the new sources of entertainment – and their parents. 

Jonathan leads warm-up after a late start.  Lorena correctly predicts that she will be “in and out” of this segment of the rehearsal since Sebastian has been particularly attached to her the last couple of days.  Jonathan seamlessly incorporates Eliza into his exercises and even continues across-the-floor movements on his own while Mandy and Lorena attend to their kids’ feeding and bathroom needs.

Closely observing his peers, Nate quickly figures out that joining the parents while dancing is great fun.  So the dancers begin work on Jonathan’s piece with their children attached to their legs.  Jonathan clarifies Mandy’s gestures in her solo segment of his dance, focusing on the curve of her back, leading circular movements with twists of her torso, and irregular timing of certain elements.  He then works with Lorena on a variety of qualitative details for her solo section: change of levels, precise leg positioning, changes in geometry to achieve a more circular shape in some  phrases and moving at an angle in others.  Jonathan, Lorena and Mandy then review/tweak the choreography after the 2 dancers come together for their duet. 

Meanwhile, Sherri continually attempts to engage the kids.  Food proves to be enticing, Nate is engrossed in video games. and Eliza and Sebastian find innovative ways to interact with the chairs.  Fortunately, these distractions are good enough to allow the dancers to run through Jonathan’s entire piece so far.  It is both exciting and gratifying to see such beautiful interpretations of Jonathan’s intricate, compelling, and emotional choreography.

Since there is only a short time remaining to work on Lorena’s piece, Lorena asks Mandy to run through her entire solo segment.  Lorena is delighted to see that Mandy has incorporated all of the notes from last session.  Both dancers agree that there is now a really good flow to the choreography.  Lorena is pleased with their progress to date and ready to develop new material.

​Nate’s inaugural Second Story rehearsal proves to be enjoyable for both mother and son.  Mandy now knows what it’s like to create while caregiving – with her own child!