Kate and I have been going to watch the Nutcracker for the past several years, it's kinda a Christmas tradition for us. She has always wanted to perform in the Nutcracker. This year she was finally old enough to audition. Kate's ballet studio performs a Nutcracker every year, and there is also a professional ballet company Ballet West that has open auditions for the children's roles. I decided it would be a good experience to tryout for both. I wasn't expecting Kate to make Ballet West version because I know it's extremely competitive. They have girls from all over the valley trying out. The two audition's were on the same day, making it very long day of auditioning. We started off the week by taking Kate to Salt Lake to be measured, she found out that she was tall enough to audition for Party Scene girl. I knew that this was one of the toughest roles to make because of the height range. I knew Kate would be auditioning against girls that are a 2-3 years older than her. We woke up Saturday morning early she was to be there to check in at 8:30. I bought her a bright red leotard and a big red ribbon for her hair. She looked so pretty, I wish I would have taken a picture. When we arrived at the rose Wagner theatre and checked in we were surprised at the number of girls that were there to audition. There had to be well over a hundred. I think at that point Kate started to get a little nervous watching so many girls do the splits, pirouettes, and leg extensions. I have to admit that it was more competitive than I expected it to be. I was proud of Kate though, she was so brave and went right into the audition with a smile. Hours past, and it seemed like they'd never release the girls. I wasn't expecting her to make it, but I was still anxious. The longer it went the more I thought maybe she'd have a chance. Finally they released the girls, and Kate came out. She didn't make it, but I was so proud of her for trying. Once we were in the car she started to cry, I think she just needed an emotional release. I wanted Kate to have the chance to audition for a part just to get the experience of what it's like to audition for something. There is a real learning curve to auditioning for roles. The first time you tryout for something you learn so much regardless whether or not you make it. Afterwards we went out to eat and stopped by my Grandma Woolsey's house to visit. My Mom and Grandma went on and on about how beautiful she looked, and I think that made her feel better. Then we went home and changed into a black Leotard for Clytie's Nutcracker audition. Kate was very excited. I felt more confident that she could make clytie's because they have so many more parts in their ballet for students. Clytie doesn't release the cast list until Monday night so all weekend I was a little nervous. I started to worry that she wouldn't make Clytie's, and how hard that would be for her. Well Monday night came and we looked up the list and sure enough she made it. I surprised her with a big Nutcracker I had found at Costco, she was so excited. Kate is excited about her part, she will be an Ornament and will get to wear a sparkly costume, and be in the finale. Kate was actually lucky she made Clytie's nutcracker, it turns out the about half of the girls that auditioned from Kate's ballet class didn't make it. Kate is a beautiful dancer, and I can't help but wonder if going through Ballet West's audition was a good prep for her. Kate loves her dance, and she is extremely excited to perform this year! Way to go Kate we are so proud of you!
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