Pouring Buckets

Late Thursday night, I picked up Mackenzie from the train station in Raleigh. The next day, we drive on to Wilmington. Mackenzie quizzes me on the meanings of various Italian sentences she reads from a book. I listen, repeat and guess at many of the words, clinging on to those few I am confident I know. We are leaving for Venice in two weeks. We're super excited, but I fear the few days we'll be there won't be nearly enough to see everything there is to see!

Despite the buckets of rain pouring from the sky Friday evening, a sizable crowd came out to see our final performance on the NC Dance Festival tour. The performance took place on the humble stage of the Wilmington Community Arts Center, formerly a WWII USO hall. History hangs on the walls in the form of original components to the hall, such as the salmon colored mirrors in the bathroom, in addition to replications of WWII era propaganda and news clippings. Kenze and I love history.

The evening went off without a hitch, and overall I am happy with how we did on the tour. Our piece was again, well received. On the way back to the hotel Friday night, I smiled at a job well done. I offer up my right hand for a high-five, and Mackenzie asks, "What's the high-five for?" I say, "Yay! We finished our little tour! I'm happy." Now we get to go back to our regular lives for a while, as our next performance isn't until the end of March.

Upon arriving back to Greensboro (Robert's and my new home!), I have the pleasure of taking a voice lesson with Barbara. It has been months since I've studied with her, but we seem to pick up right where we left off. A wonderful time. Barbara has been studying to get her Doctorate, and she tries some new exercises during our lesson. Some new words to sing, some new breathing exercises, and new anatomy talk. I love it! An aside, Angelo, Barbara's husband is from Italy, and gives me some advice to take on our trip. I am only too grateful for his insight!

To round out my evening tonight, I meet another Cara here in Greensboro for talk about artistic collaboration! Cara is a cinematographer and former dancer. We seem to hit it off really well, and I can't wait to talk with her more. Both she and I are interested in expanding our dance/film horizons. She wants to work with more choreographers/directors, and I want to work with other DP's and engage in new types of processes. I explain to her what mine and Brett's (my cinematographer and friend for four years) process usually entails. I show her some of our work, and we then discuss the new things we might like to try with each other. I feel optimistic!

Tomorrow is to be another long day in the HPU theater, rehearsing parts for Millie. Since it is Super Bowl Sunday, I have heard a bit of grumbling over the timing of the rehearsal. But, I am the bestest teacher ever. I promised a few students I'd order wings during dinner break to soften the blow. Crunch, crunch. This is the sound of my next week beginning.

Good night, all.

~Cara