On Choreography

This year, for the first time, I choreographed and taught an entire dance to other class members. I've done smaller dances before for me and my three younger sisters... but this one was for 9 girls (including me), two dads, and a brother. I also helped with the choreography for another dance. Along the way, there were unexpected challenges and equally unexpected rewards. For instance, I have learned that:

• Nine girls in a very small room makes it very hard for everyone to focus, but...
• Even when nothing seems to be going right, God gives me the patience and grace to keep my head. Which is a miracle in itself.
• It's easier to teach people in twos and threes than all at once.
• The things I thought would be easy for everyone to understand were hard, and the things I thought would be challenging were mastered quickly.
• No matter what they say and do while I'm teaching the dance, there are girls who care as much as I do about learning it well ... and it shows!
• If you dance outside in bare feet on a cold day, you can't feel the ants when they bite you.
• I can't teach a dance and answer costume questions at the same time.
• I wish that, in the past, I hadn't asked Anna costume questions while she was teaching a dance.
• If you're not going to write down your choreography, you'd better practice it OFTEN, or you will forget it by the time you have to teach it and, therefore, will have to make it up on the fly.
• The device that plays music from a disc is called a "CD player," not a "boom box." And it is a very important device!
• When asking people to play the part of Adam and Eve, be sure to specify what they're wearing up front. =) (Which, by the way, is a tan tunic with tan pants or a tan skirt.)
• Having a former gymnast who can do handsprings is helpful when choreographing the fish in Creation. (Don't ask, just come and see!)
• When there's no one else around to video the dance for the girls to practice with, a 6-year old can run a camera just fine!
• Seeing everything come together, despite all the train wrecks in practice, sends chills down my spine.
• Hearing your sister say that she didn't like the song that much initially, but now she likes it because of the way the dance interprets it, is one of the highest praises.
• If this dance really does come together, all glory goes to the God who gave me the creativity, energy, peace, patience, and wisdom to choreograph and teach it. And to the God who took the little I could do and brought it all together.

The other day, I was listening to music for next semester and started thinking, "Whoa, I wonder what we'll be doing to this!" And then I realized... I very well may have to come up with what we're doing to that particular song! And if I don't, the other girls my age will! It will definitely be an adjustment to not have Anna here. But it will give us all the opportunity to grow. Choreography is fun, but sometimes stressful because there is a deadline... you can only teach what you've come up with so far, and the girls can't practice until they're taught. It's a privilege, but it comes with a risk. But God's grace is sufficient. Even when time is not.    

"Captive Faith" process

We spent over 5 hours recording songs today for the practice CD for the musical "Captive Faith". Very thankful for Caleb and his recording equipment, volunteer singers, and the beautiful music Rachael Morton & John Rajan have composed!

Following "Unchanging" I enjoyed some much needed vacation as well as finalized the script for "Captive Faith." Following 2 late nights of editing with Rob, we declared it to be "done." First draft was completed the beginning of January, so it was a relief to be done editing on the beginning of June, 5 months later!

 We had one more read through with a group to make sure it all sounded good, then it hit the presses. Rachael (my production assistant), my sister Jubilee and I got all scripts and audition forms ready a week before auditions happened on June 19th, which was a blessing.

As always, it was hard to cast characters. We had over 60 people audition, and it was amazing how much everyone had improved. But, in the end, we made the decision and emailed the cast list.

62 are involved in the cast in some part, and rehearsals started last Thursday. It will be quite the process before everything's ready to be presented on August 3-5.

But, I'm trusting God to lead once again and bring everything together in His faithful time and way.

Songs for "Unchanging"

While my KingsPrasieBallet.com website editor is down, I'm posting the list of songs included in "Unchanging."

It's recommended that you buy the song for your student's class, so that they can practice at home. It will really make a difference, since we only have class once/week, and practicing at home causes them to work hard to remember the dance.

Even better, videotape them doing the dance during Parent Observation Day (March 12-15), and that way you'll have the song according to how I cut it, along with the movements to practice with!

Click the links to download them for around $1 at Amazon.com, or look them up on your favorite music supplier.

Wee Ballet 1 (Tues 4:00)
"I Am the Door" with "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" (they're both short, so they're doing two together)
"Medley: Jesus Loves the Little Children & others" - with Wee 3

Wee Ballet 2 (Mon 3:15)
"Yesterday, Today, & Forever" (I cut music out of the song from 3:36 to 3:58)
"The Name of Jesus" - with Ballet II (I faded out the song at the 2:50 mark)

Wee Ballet 3 (Mon 1:30)
"What a Friend We Have in Jesus"
"Medley: Jesus Loves the Little Children & others" - with Wee 1

Basic Ballet 1 (Mon 2:15)
"Might to Save" (I cut music out of the song from 2:47 to 3:33)
"Praise to the King" - with Ballet IV

Basic Ballet 2 (Tues 3:00)
"He is Good" - with 2 from Ballet IV (I cut music out of the song from 1:45 to 2:34)
"Indescribable" (I fade the song out at 2:35)

Ballet I/A (Thurs 3:15)
"Pleasures of the King" (I fade the song out at 3:40)
"You Are God Alone" - with Ballet I/B (I cut music out of the song from 2:50 to 3:32)

Ballet I/B (Mon 4:00)
"Hope of the Broken World" (I fade the music out at 3:08)
"You Are God Alone" - with Ballet I/A (I cut music out of the song from 2:50 to 3:32)

Ballet II (Tues 1:45)
"Faithful God" (I fade the music out at 3:09)
"The Name of Jesus" - with Wee 2 (I fade the music out at 2:50)

Ballet III (Thurs 4:30)
"Immortal, Invisible"
"I Will Follow" (I fade the music out at 2:51)

Ballet IV
"Our God" (I cut music out from 2:31 to 3:52)
"Behold Our God" (I fade the music out at 3:33)
"Praise to the King" - with Basic 1
"He is Good" - Sarah & Rachel with Basic 2 (I cut music out of the song from 1:45 to 2:34)

Father/Daughter Dance
"Through the Eyes of My Father" (link takes you to YouTube)

Finale
"Your Grace Still Amazes Me" (I cut music out of the song at various points)

Royalty Free Music

After struggling to find music licenses for songs I wanted to record on DVD, I was relieved to find this free music resource. The site lists different places that offer free music without royalty fees, and is very helpful for those wanting to use music in things without breaking the law. This site has some especially beautiful music, from which I am using a few pieces for slideshows of pictures from "Beyond Bethlehem."

If you're needing music for a project, check out the helpful resources above!