I hate that I didn’t have Keith snap a picture of us last night. The new owner of my dance studio, Natalie, and my long-time teacher, Kirstin, came over to work on this year’s series of performances.

Upon retiring from dance studio ownership in March, I committed to producing this season’s shows, from music to costuming to stage craft. Life has a funny way of steering you in a direction then abruptly changing your course…but maybe not this time.

I started thinking about the show concept, songs, and stage magic forever ago. I’ve spent many hours combing through music and making notes about ideas. My phone is filled with lists of songs and theme-related topics. I have texted myself notions, thoughts, and visions that could turn into stage-worthy creations.

Then, this little brain tumor thing popped up from out of the blue. My heart broke. Should I give this up? Will they fear that I can’t do it? Can I do it? What about my brain? Can it even think and be creative?

Last night, they came to my house and sat with me. No make-up, hair sticking up like a Muppet, limping around…they sat with me and looked at me anyway. We talked through concepts and listened to music. We nailed down songs and chose the perfect costumes. We envisioned the performances on stage.

In that moment, I was doing what I do.  I make shows, really good ones, that make people feel like they’re a part of something big. My shows are fun, emotional, and memorable. I showcase small-town, recreational dancers in a large-scale, professional way and work to deliver not just shows but actual experiences dancers and families never forget.

That magic began to swirl last night, and it felt good. Natalie and Kirstin aren’t just co-workers, they’re my precious friends. They care about me. They care about the studio. They care about kids and the art of dance. They listen and follow my hair-brained ideas, trust my judgment, and roll with my plans.

They are wildly creative, too, and there were times last night when this almost-electric creative energy was swirling around the room. Our thoughts would align, we would shout “YES!” and giggle with excitement… all while I was wrapped up in a blanket in my chair, anticipating  brain surgery in 26 days.

I could tell y’all a million stories about how shows come together. I could tell you about where I was when some stroke of brilliance hit, how Kirstin came up with some of the best choreo I could’ve ever imagined, how we rigged, hot-glued, and prayed to make stage magic happen. But this one…

This show will happen despite brain tumors. It will be the work of people who were not only creative and ingenious but patient, loving, and understanding.

I told them last night that I would work as long as I could, then I would see them on the other side to make it all come together.

I told them last night that I would work as long as I could,
then I would see them on the other side to make it all come together.

Every year, there are plenty of reasons to proudly open that theater and watch the seats fill. There is so much to celebrate, so many successes, so many accomplishments. When the overture plays, the celebration of that season begins, and we ride this beautiful wave of music and dance and family all weekend and for the rest of our lives.

And that’s our plan this year, too, despite the odds.

Brain surgery may take me out of the game for a minute, but we’ve got magic to make, and make it, we will. Don’t worry, we won’t let your kids see, but we may all get together behind the scenes at stage rehearsal and raise our middle fingers to brain tumors that once were. Screw you, Tumors. Look at us!

And we will raise glasses to Natalie as she will have successfully navigated her first year as a studio owner. That’s good stuff.

Thank you, Natalie and Kirstin, for your love, patience, and understanding. I love you both more than you know. I wouldn’t want to share this adventure with anybody else. (And we will soon add Paige to this crazy mix!)

Late to the party? A few folks have messaged me wondering what’s going on. Go catch up here…

Meningiomas & Badasses: Here We Go

Seizure Meds & A NYE EEG: Happy New Year

CLICK HERE to learn more about meningiomas!

#prayformsa #powerinthepurple #graceanddignity #weissmancostumes

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,