Here Goes Nothing

L.A. 2003--that's Brent, baby Kate, and my sister Julianne

L.A. 2006--our fellow auditioners


I have a confession to make. I was going to keep this a secret, but I already confessed it to Danee, my only local friend who knows about this blog, so here it goes: I'm trying out for So You Think You Can Dance. Again.

I know what you're thinking, what business does an old woman with two kids--one of them almost in KINDERGARTEN--have trying out for SYTYCD? And I was TOTALLY thinking the same thing. Even though I secretly wished to try out one more time, I was not about to DO it, until Brent encouraged me. Then Brent bought me plane tickets. So now I'm doing it. I know, it's nuts. But I made this goal a few years back to try to take a trip to L.A. to take dance every other year, and I've managed to do it in 03, 06, and now 08.

I would love to give you some juicy details about how the SYTYCD auditions go, so you know what it's really like backstage. The only problem is this: I didn't exactly penetrate the So You Think You Can Dance system. I got cut on the first round. The surprise improv round that you have to pass before you even get to do your solo for the judges that they air on the show. But standing in line was fun. Last time we got to know this big hip hop dancer who had brought his fold-up chair and knitting needles and was knitting hats. And at least we got an excuse to hang out with Tisha and Curteis and Adley (we stayed at their place in South Pasadena, it was fun and so beautiful there.) My little sister Julianne has come with me each time. The first time we just took class, because there was no SYTYCD. Last time she auditioned with me, and it was tragic! They were planning to let her through to the next round, until they asked her group if they wanted a second chance. They all said yes and she said no, and then cut her (it was an improv audition, and she repeated a couple of her moves). But being cut just freed up one more day to go take great dance classes. Nonetheless, Julianne didn't really feel like doing all that work just to be rejected again, so she's just going to fly in the second day to take class with me. I'm auditioning on my own.

I, on the other hand, am ripe for more rejection! I expect this time to go a lot like last time. Spend a couple weeks choreographing a solo, get rejected before even getting to perform said solo, and then go take class. The classes in LA are incredible, so I figure I win either way (ya, I know, that's what losers say).

Brent thinks I need to come in a leotard, headband, and leg warmers, maybe a ripped sweatshirt, and dance to Flash Dance. Either that or he thinks I should choose a William Hung piece. Hmmm. Not sure if I'm up for that, though I am open to other ideas for a good gimmick.

THE YOGA ROOM
So the body's not working quite as well as it used to, so I'm trying to get in shape for this. So I started going to the yoga room at our club to work out. And it's been kind of fun. Sometimes I’m there all alone, and then sometimes I meet interesting people, whose time in the yoga room to perform their own quiet workout or stretching crosses over mine. I’ve met a cop, a yoga teacher who used to dance, a mom who used to dance, and an older woman who is way flexible still. It give me hope.