Last night was an experience different from any other.  I went to the Oc Performing Arts Center to see “The Trey McIntyre Project”.  It’s basically dance  There were a number of pieces performed; some I didn’t totally connect with; some I loved.  If I hadn’t been absorbed in the dance world as much as I have because of my girls; some of this stuff from the performance would have been lost on me.  But for the pieces that I didn’t connect with emotionally, I focused on the technique of the dancers and I looked at each dancer and tried to match them up in my mind with the dance teachers I know.

I’ve said it before, it’s a mess in my head.  I have to find ways to entertain myself, so I start dissecting things bit by bit. I actually chuckled at myself at one point realizing how far I was reaching while trying to stay interested.  But because I did that; it made the less intriguing dances way more interesting.

To  be honest; the dancing was great.  Trey McIntyre is a gifted choreographer.  But no matter how much one loves dance; there will be pieces you don’t ‘get’.  No offense to the choreographer at all!!  The fact that this man got his dancers at the Orange County Performing Arts Center is amazing in and of itself.

I have had dance teachers tell me multiple times; Take your kids to AS MANY PERFORMANCES AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN!!!!  And so when an opportunity comes up – I’m there!!!  This was an amazing opportunity.  We were all excited!!

As far as dance goes; Aspen is all in, no doubt about it.  Avery is a different story.  It’s way more recreational for her and she doesn’t have the interest to the same level.  So I’m exposing her in hopes of sparking something.

I could tell Avery was not into it; so I told her to look at the dancers and try to pick out which teacher would be doing which moves.  I also told her to check out the technique and watch how they point their toes even when they are laying on the ground.  I was trying to suck her in if only by a little.

After the performances were over; the choreographer came out and said he was going to choreograph a piece live in front of the audience.  We watched as he took two of his dancers and ran through his process of choreography.  And in minutes, he showed us a piece put to music with the dancers doing what they just learned.  It was awesome.  First of all; the fact that his choreography just flowed out of him; and second that the dancers just picked it up and remembered it that quick was nothing short of amazing to me.  At the end of the piece he said, one of the dancers will grab an audience member and we will convene in the plaza to finish the show.  So hundreds of people got up from their seats and went outside (a first for me).

Unbeknownst to us; they had setup and outside stage while we were watching the show.  It was so cool.  We stood and watched (to the best of our ability thanks to the crowds) until one of our crew ‘all of a sudden’ had to pee so bad we had to go inside again.  So upstairs we went to the second floor where the bathrooms were and lo and behold; the view was perfect from up there.  So we watched the rest of the show from upstairs.

What a fun experience.  It was like nothing I had seen before and it was really quite a treat.  However….note to Trey…..please keep in mind the short people when making them stand to watch a performance with hundreds of people at the same level.  My poor peanuts (and even Julie) couldn’t see much at all when we went outside.  Thankfully, I had heals on, so I threw Avery on my back.  But Aspen was on Julie’s back and to be honest, Aspen’s head didn’t even come up to mine!  But Julie tried……

On our way home we asked the girls what they thought. Aspen liked it…Avery not so much.  I asked Avery why and she said, “There just wasn’t a lot I connected with!”  I told her I totally understood.  One day we will find her passion.  To date WICKED was the most engaged I have ever seen her, so I think theater is in her future.  She loves to ham it up!  I’m not worried.  She’ll get there eventually!!

But to have the experience is what makes all the difference in the world.

Thanks Julie for taking the initiative on this one!  Love it!
Happy Sunday