This weekend Lucy will have a small part in a professional production of Sleeping Beauty. Her ballet teacher is a member of a ballet company (Century Taipei I think?) and arranged their participation. I volunteered to help with the kids backstage. At first I regretted volunteering because it means being there for all dress rehearsals and performances. This will basically suck up all my time for 3 days as there are 2 dress rehearsal and 2 performances. But I found the dress rehearsal last night so interesting I’m now glad I volunteered.
The most amusing thing I must share is that Lucy’s part is that of a boy. She is one of 6 royal pages. The girls suspect something, but otherwise don’t know this is the case (I think the flowers in their hair give them enough doubt they haven’t pestered us about it) and we haven’t said anything either way. Nonetheless, they are still super cute.
One thing that was really interesting was seeing the director in action positioning the dancers etc. To help the kids, they have been putting colored stickers on the floor of the stage so they know where to stand. She’s also been confident enough in these kids to be changing some of their moves on the fly – for instance whether they should sit or stand or adding a bit part where they should carry the King and Queen’s robes. A lot for the kids to remember I think but so far they’ve done great and reminds me that kids often rise to the expectations you set for them. Another intereting tidbit - the stage backgrounds are run by Microsoft Powerpoint. They are slides projected onto a screen.
If anyone wants tickets I believe they are still available. Tickets start at 500NT. Shows on Saturday 19:30 and Sunday 15:00.
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