The Reality of Performance Preparation

Most people see the glitter, lights, and costumes, but what they don’t see is the process of creating an act, the long hours of training, the bruises, and the exhaustion. The preparation is what makes a performance possible; it is the effort that no one sees.

Preparing for a performance is a whole process not just physically, but emotionally as well. I have to figure out music and costumes, create an act, perfect it, and rehearse it multiple times. On top of that, I balance school, my social life, and my training schedule. However, I don’t do it alone because I have my supportive family and the best coaches ever.

Although coming up with a concept and song is time-consuming, it is important because it’s the foundation of the act. My family, my coaches, and I go through a million ideas and songs before we find the right one. Then comes the creating process, which is personally my favorite. I love exploring new moves and figuring out new transitions. There was one time when I was trying a new split move I found on Instagram and ended up finding a weird bendy trick that made it into the final act.

Of course, it’s not always easy. I’m a perfectionist, which can be a good thing but can also be a bad thing. When I am set on something, I finish it until the very end. For example, I’ll find a move I want to try and do it until I get it right, or if there is something slightly off about my act, I will fix it until I love it again. Sometimes I’ll even go to the point of exhaustion. During times like those, I’ve learned to let my body rest, move on, and come back to it next time. I’ve also learned that a perfect act is great, but adding your own flare and personality makes it ten times better.

Once the act is created, I’ll run it with my coaches over and over and over again. We almost always end up making last-minute changes, whether it’s changing a move, transition, or even the entire song. After all of the long hours and training, an act that I can call my own has finally come together.

Performing takes hard work, patience, and heart. But every bruise, late night, and adjustment is worth it because the moment I step into the spotlight is when all the unseen effort finally comes to life.