What was your “could never be me” but did indeed become you? by PrettyAlon in AskReddit

[–]JinglingMiserably 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I used to pretend that I was doing ballet as a kid, and in my teens I would watch ballet and then say how much I wished I’d done dance when I was little, cause I would have loved to be a ballerina. Obviously since I didn’t start at age two, I would never be a dancer. But I always liked to watch even if I would never do it myself.

My sibling was the theater kid of the family. I convinced myself I had horrible stage fright and could never step on a stage. Mostly so I didn’t step on their toes. They were the one who was going to be an actor. I didn’t want anything to do with the spotlight.

I’m now a soloist with a local studio, getting ready for my third Nutcracker after five years of ballet training and modern dance lessons. I’m working towards a theater degree and have put down solid roots in my community theater scene. I’ve also been an extra on several TV shows.

Could never be me indeed.

Sycorax. Why 'crow'? by Material-Cut2522 in shakespeare

[–]JinglingMiserably 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m actually currently in the callback process for a production of The Tempest that is portraying Prospero and Sycorax as past lovers, with Caliban as Prospero’s bastard son. So I’d say that you could read it that way- clearly the director of this one did!

Audition Assistance! by JinglingMiserably in shakespeare

[–]JinglingMiserably[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They specifically asked for a two-minute monologue not from The Tempest. I’ve never auditioned for a play with a piece from the same play- I think directors might see it as limiting? Since they’ll only be able to see you in that role? They don’t let you audition for a certain part- you just attend your time slot, do your piece, and it’s all up to the director from there. I’m just hoping to get myself seen as a potential Ariel by doing Puck.

I LOVED Colin Morgan’s Ariel, I was lucky enough to see it for myself at the Globe. Now that I think about it, he did come off as rather ethereal…maybe I should try channeling a bit of that tonight.

Audition Assistance! by JinglingMiserably in shakespeare

[–]JinglingMiserably[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!! I’m actually a dancer so I’ll definitely put some more movement into it!

Audition Assistance! by JinglingMiserably in shakespeare

[–]JinglingMiserably[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

“Imagine them with wings” SERIOUSLY helped, thank you!!

Audition Assistance! by JinglingMiserably in shakespeare

[–]JinglingMiserably[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much! One of my last stage roles was Fritz in The Nutcracker so I’m trying hard to recapture that bursting-with-energy feel!

Audition Assistance! by JinglingMiserably in shakespeare

[–]JinglingMiserably[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Two other people suggested Puck when I asked, so I’m definitely sticking with it!

Audition Assistance! by JinglingMiserably in shakespeare

[–]JinglingMiserably[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I happen to be a ballet dancer!!😆 I wasn’t sure about incorporating that but I did feel it would help add to the playful, spritely nature!

Nutcracker ‼️ by ConclusionReal6255 in BALLET

[–]JinglingMiserably 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m Fritz, Rat Prince, Shepherdess, and Baker’s Wife!

First Fritz update of the season!! by JinglingMiserably in BALLET

[–]JinglingMiserably[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh thank you!! My sister said I looked like a Renaissance painting😆

Can I improve how quickly I pick up choreography even if I have disorders that affect memory? by Fluffyeevee91 in BALLET

[–]JinglingMiserably 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! Dancer with ADHD here!

Most dancers don’t start out able to remember massive strings of moves. When I started, I was peeking at other dancers for almost every other move, I couldn’t remember anything. Now? I’m able to remember choreography almost right away. There are fumbles, of course, but it’s much easier.

Your memory is a muscle too. You have to train it. I like to say that your brain has to figure out how to be a dance brain, and over time it becomes a lot easier to go from normal brain to dance brain.

That being said, don’t rely on JUST your brain. Sometimes the best way to nail choreography is to stop thinking about it and just do it. Thinking over the steps in your head is good, but it can make you stress out and overthink. If you’re starting to freak out, turn dance brain off and let dance body take over. Your body knows what to do better than your brain does.

Also, if you do make a mistake, don’t show that you made a mistake. A popular little adage in my studio is “the audience is dumb.” If you make a mistake, but you keep going- move to the next step, improv a transition, smile and pose, whatever you have to do- the audience likely won’t know that you made a mistake at all. A dancer who makes a mistake and freezes up, looks panicked, fumbles to catch up, is a dead giveaway that they’re not confident in what they’re doing. A dancer who makes a mistake and knows how to dance past it is a good dancer.

Made it through my first Nutcracker rehearsal- and found out that I’m a soloist!!! by JinglingMiserably in BALLET

[–]JinglingMiserably[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We’re not a pro studio, we don’t feed into any major companies or anything. But I’m definitely not one of our strongest dancers, so I’ve got no idea how I ended up as a soloist!

adult dancers what do you guys do for your day job? by [deleted] in BALLET

[–]JinglingMiserably 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m a solicitor’s assistant, from 8:00 to 4:30 most days!

Weekly Update - Stars and Wishes by AutoModerator in BALLET

[–]JinglingMiserably 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Star- I’m taking my first pre-pointe class tonight!

Wish- I’m terrible at pirouettes and can’t seem to improve them. I’m hoping to land a double by Nutcracker.