OMG! It’s almost time to leave for seven whole weeks in New York City and the six week American Ballet Theatre summer intensive!
As you might imagine, things are crazy at our house. Julian is studying for his last set of final exams. I’m trying like crazy to get my office in order and finish up pending work. Luckily, Julian will not have any homework while he’s away (a welcome break), but I’ll still be working. (Have computer, will travel.) So, I’ve finished the things that I can’t do while in New York — those things requiring a lot of printing, and I’ve organized myself for seven weeks in a makeshift office in our sub-let studio in the East Village (where they just filmed Step Up 3-D outside the window of the apartment). And, we are trying to pack…or I am. I have an overflowing suitcase that I have to whittle down to a few outfits. I hate to pack…
I’ve talked to two or three of the mother’s who will be there, because I have to be away from five days at a conference. Everyone at this point is getting ready to be away from home. The boys are finishing up school and trying to stay in shape since their programs have ended for the year. One of the mother’s gave me the low down, since she was there last year with her son. We’ll see what it’s like when we get there.
After watching the Tony’s, we are all the more excited to see if Julian will get to take class with David Alvarez, who thanked Kevin McKenzie, ABT Artistic Director, when he won the Tony this week along with the two other “Billy’s from Billy Elliott, the Musical. Of course, I finally got on the computer and purchased our tickets to see the show as well.
Julian’s last class at Teen Dance Company until August will be tomorrow. He could go again on Thursday, but he’s opting to see some friends before going away. He’s lucky, though, that his classes run all year ’round. (For those in the Bay Area interested in the program, classes are open to the public all summer, as is the summer intensive in August.)
As for preparing for the summer intensive, Julian has been stepping up his game to some extent, but his end of the year school schedule has not allowed for a whole lot. He has jumped rope for 5-10 minutes at a time. He has gone running several times. He is doing some of the foot exercises, such as doming using a ball, using a theraband to strengthen his ankles and the sides of his feet, picking up a pencil with is toes, and most recently (since Rasta Thomas’ first post), releves, eleves, some push ups and situps and other strengthening exercises, and more stretching. That said, these efforts are a bit sporadic…and sometimes half hearted…and a bit late in the game.
I have to believe that he is in pretty decent shape for a summer intensive, though. He dances five or six days a week all year long…sometimes more. He does pilates every week, and he doesn’t just do ballet but also jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, and hip hop. Tap, jazz and hip hop aren’t in his every-week class schedule all year long, but he does do quiet a bit of them during the course of the year. So, that is a form of cross training, I suppose. Hopefully, all of that along with the little bit of extra exercise he’s thrown in over the last few weeks will help him through the strenuous ABT program.
I’ll keep you posted on his progress. I may also try to get some of the boys involved in the blog–through interviews or even podcasts. We’ll see if anyone is interested.
Keep your fingers crossed that maybe I can get David Alvarez to agree to let me interview him not only for the blog but for my book on mentoring boys who want to become professional dancers as well. He may be young, but he is dancing professionally. In that sense, he can mentor other boys who want to follow in his footsteps.
In the meantime, wish me luck packing and getting ready to leave home and the rest of my family (Yes, I do have a husband and a daughter I’m leaving behind…) for almost a month. The things we do for our dancin’ boys.
Best wishes to you and Julian! I look forward to reading all about your experiences!
Nichelle