SECOND FAVORITE CHAPTER SO FAR <3
(Outfit day one)
I won a title last week ! It was awesome !
"We're in New York Mads, it's so cool." I say
"Yeah, I love it so much." She reply
"Come on girls let's go !"
"Girls, this is the big time, we are here in New York city in the dance mecca of the world right here and I want you to take it all in, everybody you pass on that street probably took a dance lesson at some point in there life, do you understand that ?" Abby says
We all nod.
"There's lot of kids at wing competitions there's a lot of kids that get crowns on their head and there's a handful that make it in the industry remember that. I wanna talk about Michigan first we are not gonna win a group dance until everybody in this group is on the same level." Abby says
"When's parts of the choreography are in unison you all need to be in unison that's what it means ! It's not always about your solos it's about that group number that you need to dance in the group if you don't apply the corrections you're not going to improve and that's the issue. "
"Now on with the pyramid, on the bottom of the pyramid is Paige, did you correct the arms ? Yes. Did you put the phone away ? No." Abby says
"She gets no credit for doing her back tuck or her press or ?" Kelly asks annoyed.
"Credits ?" Abby says before clapping.
"Next Mackenzie, you can improv if you're early on the music in a solo but when you do it in a trio and you don't tell the other two partners to do it ahead of time, you made them look like idiots cause you were out there wooo ! Shaking it up understood ?" Abby says , Kenzie nods. She seems annoyed
"Next Chloe, time to face the music you forgot your routine, you're not seven anymore you're ten years old you can't make up your own thing and wait to get back onto the music when 35 other dancers are doing the right thing, that's a pink slip that's the unemployment line, understood ?"
"Next Nia, you hurt your foot you worked through it it all worked out however it's the technique and it's like telling you over and over it's up to you, do you wanna fix it ? Do you wanna make it better ? Then you will, understood ?" Abby says, Nia nods
"Moving up we have Brooke, Brooke you did what you needed to do but you always just do what you needed to do I want to see more from you." Abby says
"Next is Maddie, you were undefeated until last week, you got second, it's becoming easy to say if Naïla is going to win or not. Otherwise great performance but not as good as Naïla apparently." Abby says that's harsh
"And on top of the pyramid is Naïla , I challenged you, you won last week, you stepped right back in the game, you won cause you can learn quickly and do the performance with grace." Abby says, I smile and nod.
Naïla
Maddie Brooke
Nia Chloe Mackenzie Paige
"I want to talk about after the competition the scout from the joffrey ballet school came to our dressing room they chose the Abby Lee Dance Company, you're going to be going to the Joffrey school with some of the most prestigious instructors in all of New York. The judges that are judging you are three instructors at the Joffrey school they're going to look at feet turn out, body lines, everything you've learnt up until this point is going to come into play at this audition. You guys need to fight for this we have to work on a ballet combination today, we have to work on a short presentation for each one of you to do when you go into that audition."
"I expected you to look like ballerinas, I'm shocked at the way your dressed, here you are in New york city going to a professional dance studio, you never know who's going to be there, you never know who going to see you, you always want to look your best you're going to have pink tights on, you're going to have leotard on, you're going to have your hair in a bun so moms you're going to have to go out you're going to have to hit the dance wear store and I want them looking like ballerinas the look is half the battle mommy's not gonna be there Abby's not gonna be there it's you. you either sink or swim and please don't embarrass me." Abby explains while we listen carefully.
| Abby says that I'm one of the best ballet dancer in the studio, so she really count on me to do well. She also says that since I won the Cincinnati School of Ballet scholarship it's going to be easy, I hope she's right | Naïla Frazier
"In addition to our rehearsals for this ballet audition, we are also going to be working on a number you heard that right so, we will be attending starbound competition in Parimas New Jersey and the competition is going to be fierce, ladies our group routine this week is about a very serious topic, let me just say each one of you is in jail." Abby says, I frown and look at Nia
"Chloe you just came off your solo, you gotta get right back on that horse you're going to be doing a solo this weekend."
"Naïla, I don't want to break your winning streak and your still their national champion. You're also doing a solo at Starbound."
"Thank you." I say
"Maddie, see if you can keep up, I'm also giving you a solo this week. You better win." Abby says
"This might be the busiest week of your life, I know I'm putting the pressure on you but you know what there's a time for pressure and it's right now. You are representing the Abby Lee dance company, you are representing 32 years of history do you understand that ? Don't blow it."
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Two days to Joffrey Ballet audition
"Pick out something from one of your solos something that is amazing that you do better than anybody else does." Abby says
I do a ballet combo, that was in one of my solo 2 years ago at the recital.
"I don't think you guys understand quite how important this is, I mean you cannot go in there like a slacker." Abby says, what is a slacker ?
We go in bars.
"There's only one person who's doing it right, wake up !" Abby says referring to me, I guess
"You're going in front of people that have had great careers, you don't wanna walk in there and be the big joke that they're gonna laugh at when they go home tonight." Abby says
"Where do you think an arabesque is ? Down here where yours is ? No. At last parallel to the floor." Abby says
We all going to do a combo in front of Abby.
"How did that look?" Abby asks as Nia does a leap.
"Better" Abby asks the moms, they nod.
"This as to stop." Abby says about Nia pulling her leotard up.
"But it keeps falling down." Nia says
"I know but that's why you wear a leotard that fits you correctly." Abby says
"Abby is it possible that um can you give us some ideas when we go to look for their appropriate black leotard if there's certain types of leotards you should be looking for that compliments each of their body's styles, not saying we can find them but you might stand a better chance." Mom asks
"You want your legs to look long and your body, your torso to look short." Abby replies
She does an exemple with Paige leotard.
"All of you stop, with those crazy outfit." Abby says, not the best day to wear a gold dance wear
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Two days to Starbound and One day to Joffrey Ballet audition
(Outfit day two)
Chloe learn her solo and then it's my turn.
"You're also playing an evil character, you're playing Maleficent." Abby says
I gasp.
"Yay !" I exclaim
"We have one day to learn it because tomorrow is the audition, you already learned a dance in a day so it's not that much of a deal." Abby says, I nod
"Start stage left, sit down, your back face the judges and do like a pretty pose." Abby says, I do one
"Perfect, do moves with your arms like in slow motion." Abby instructs
| This week, I'm portraying Maleficent in my solo. It's cool to play an evil character because it's more fun to perform and the experience on stage is awesome. Well it's according to Abby.| Naïla Frazier
"Do three fouettés into five pirouettes go." Abby says, I do the turns
"Do a side aerial and then fall to the ground." I do so
We learn the dance, it's really fun.
"Off, we finished the dance." Abby says
We run it two times.
"It's hard to get to the top of the pyramid but it's even..." Abby says for me to continue
"Hard to stay there." I say
"Harder to stay there." She confirms
"So game on." We do an high five
After that it's Maddie turn to learn her solo, I sit on my mom lap.
"You did great, Naï." Mom whispers
"Thank you." I reply
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We stretch for the audition.
"Girls come on listen up !" Abby says as we do stretches for the famous ballet audition
"We have two days until you are in parmas new jersey doing this competition in starbound." Abby says
"Go get your dance bags put your jazz shoes on." Abby says
Nia and I go to our mom to take our shoes.
"Go tell Miss Abby that you and your sisters left them on the couch, don't start crying i'm not in the mood today for any of this at all." Melissa says to Maddie
"Girls let's go!" Abby says
"Their dance bags are at the hotel." Melissa says
Abby freezes.
"Every kid makes a mistake Maddie, okay ? You're not perfect." Melissa says to Maddie
"Don't cry." I comforts Maddie
"It was my fault totally my fault." Melissa says to Abby.
"It's not your fault it's her dance bag. " Abby says
"But every kid make mistakes, Abby. So it's my fault." Melissa says
"Well-" Abby's says
"I should've have check." Melissa says
"I don't want Maddie to make mistakes." Abby says, she turns to Maddie and all of us.
"And when you get here there's kids that are living here that are 14 and 15 years old on their own paying their own bills and when you guys get here you can't call mommy when you walk into an audition it's your responsibility not your mothers." Abby says
"It's a pair of shoes who cares ?" Melissa says, we start to learn the group and Maddie looks so sad
"Maddie stop with the face I'm not in the mood." Melissa says, she walks out of the room and Abby follow her.
We continue to learn the group dance with Gianna.
Melissa and Abby come back.
"I need you to be nasty and bitter and mean, you're playing a part." Abby says
"Naïla, reach." Abby says
"Chloe that's a grand plié second." Abby says
"Alright girls listen ! Tomorrow the Joffrey ballet audition there's going to be others kids your age, auditioning for the same Joffrey intensive, everybody wants it and everybody want it bad, this is a big deal. I want all three of these ballet teacher to know how talented the children are from the Abby Lee dance company. Don't walk in there and embarrass me." Abby says
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Joffrey audition
"You're just at the beginning of your shot you have something to work for." Abby says to us
We get our numbers pinned on our chest.
"Girls remember your not only representing yourself, you're representing the Abby lee dance company." Abby says to us
We stretch and we meet with Cathy, wait what ?
"Hi." Cathy says
"How are you guys ?" Cathy asks.
"Good how are you ?"Abby says.
"Good." Cathy replies.
First is Paige. I am not going to watch the piece, I am going to focus on mine.
"Brooke make it look easy that's what impressive about you." Abby says,
Brooke goes in.
Next is Nia, she goes in and I go to mom.
"You are good ?" Mom asks
"I'm a little bit nervous, I mean they're three professionals ballerinas." I say
"It's going to be great don't worry." She says
"Hi Nia." I say as she come back
"How was it ?" Mom ask
"They were shocked by the dead drop." She reply
Mackenzie does her dance and then get out of the room.
'What did the guy say ?" Abby asks Kenzie.
"He said 'Whoever taught you to shake your bum-bum is a dum-dum'." Mackenzie says jokingly.
"That's your mother." Abby says, I laugh at it
"Naïla you make it look easy and graceful, you love ballet, it's one of your best style. Do well." Abby says, I nod
"Number 232." We call me, my mom and Maddie kiss me on the cheek
I push the door, go in front of the judges and stand in first position.
"Hello." One of the men speaks
"Hello." I say back with a smile
"Do you have a piece ?" He asks
"Yes, I have on." I reply
"Take the floor, it's all yours." He says
I have with a Petit Alegro Combo and finish with some turns.
I straighten my legs, point my feet, don't arch my back and make sure everything else is perfect. I try to remember all the corrections from the professionals ballerinas at Cincinnati. I finish and they clap.
I stand in front of them in first position again with a smile on my face.
"Your ballet abilities are great, it's fantastic, it's wonderful.We can see by the way you danced that you already trained with professionals in the world of dance because of the way you dance. They did a great job on how they picked the way to train you, this type of ballet fit your ability very well." One of the men says, I nod
"If you want to be a ballerina, keep it that way and the abilities will grow more and more. Thank you very much send number 247 in." The man finishes
I smile and nod.
"Thank you." I say before leaving the room with a smile
Mackenzie and Nia jump on me, I send Chloe in.
"Where's that smile from ?" Abby ask jokingly, I chuckle
"What did he say ?" Abby asks
"He said that my dance abilities were great and that I should keep it that way to become a better dancer." I explain
"Good !" Abby says before hugging me
Mom hug me too.
"Was it fun ?" Mom asks
"Stressing but fun." I laugh
Chloe comes back. I kiss Maddie on the cheek before she goes in the room.
Maddie comes back.
"You did amazing !" I say to Maddie
"They said that I didn't look like a dancer but a Broadway performer." She says
"You're a dancer, don't worry about that comment." I say to Maddie
We then do the bars audition. The moms make a lot of noises.
We finish the audition, I think I did fabulous.
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Competition day
"Come on ladies, hurry." Abby says as we get out of the van
"Okay girls listen to me closely you know we are in New Jersey we are at Starbound you are the national champions but i'll tell you what a lot of these talented studios were not at the nationals in Lake Tahoe so I think you have your work cut out for you today." Abby says as we get ready for the group
"Stare at that judge." Abby says as we run through the number
"That's not a floppy foot. Point your toe ." Abby says
| I think we're all nervous that we'll lost, we didn't have that much time to practice because of the audition. It's really stressful | Naïla Frazier
We walk backstage.
"Starting with number 892, 9-10 age group, Hurt Them First."
"It was weird, I feel like we didn't have enough time to learn it." I confess to Maddie
"Yeah, it was really easy too." Maddie says, I nod in agreement
Group Awards
I hold Nia and Mackenzie hand tight.
"In my hands, I hold top ten junior group.We start out small group open age 9-10 in tenth place with a screen of 286, 892 Hurt Them First." The announcer says
Mackenzie go take the award.
Tenth place is very low.
"In ninth place by one point with a score of 287 almost heaven Candy Apples Dance !" I clap slowly
We go back to the dressing room.
"We've never never ever in our lives got tenth place." Melissa states
Abby walks in and she's mad.
Cathy comes in our room.
"In your sincerity, we congratulate you on tenth place." Cathy laugh
"Thank you, we're proud of ourselves, thank you." Mom says
"Congratulations on one point better." Christi says
"You are satan !" Abby shout to Cathy
"My whole reputation has been humiliated." Abby cries, she goes out of the room
My mom phone start to ring.
"Moms your phone ringing." I informs her
Mom pick it up.
"Hello ?" She ask
"Hello hum is this Holly." The person on the phone ask
"Yes." She reply
"This is David Roberts from the Joffrey Ballet school, how are you doing ?" He asks
A small smile appears on my face.
"I'm well, how are you doing ?" Mom ask
"I wanna take the time to call you personally to tell you that uhm, we wanna offer Naïla a scholarship for the summer, she was at the top of our list." He says, I smile
"Thank you, this is amazing." Mom says
"Thank you !" I say in the phone
They stay on the phone for another 2 minutes before ending the call.
"I am so proud of you !" Mom says, I hug her
Maddie, Chloe & Nia hug me too.
"You're being a brat." Melissa says, I turn around and Maddie as a mad expression on her face.
"Give me it !" Maddie says
"Go away from me" Melissa says
"Please ! I wanna organise !" Maddie says
"Get back here right now, get back there now." Mom says again and Maddie goes over to organise the makeup again.
"Maddison get back here your phone is going away." mom says, Maddie go behind the curtain
I get ready for my solo.
Headpiece :
Costume :
Back of the costume :
Abby come back in the room.
"I got the scolarship." I confess with a smile
"Good job !" Abby exclaims, she hug me
"I know you could do it !" Abby says before doing an high-five with me
I run my solo with Abby and she call me over. She does my makeup final touches.
"That's a lot of costume." She says looking behind me
"Don't look. That's a lot lot of costume." Abby says
"Okay don't panic, no panic." She says to me
"Judges eyes contact, sunk them right when the dance starts." Abby says, I nod
Mackenzie do a quick peck on my cheek before Maddie, Chloe and I go backstage.
Kendall do her solo and she's the queen of heart. What ?
"She did not." I say to Maddie and Chloe
"Yes, she did." Maddie says
"You'll do a thousand time better than her anyway." I say
"Thank you." Chloe says
"Welcome number 889, open ages 9-10, Maleficent."
I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream
I know you, that look in your eyes is so familiar a gleam
And I know it's true that visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you, I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream
But if I know you, I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once
The way you did once upon a dream
I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream
I know you, that gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam
And I know it's true that visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you, I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream
Once Upon A Dream - Lana Del Rey
I go offstage, Chloe and Maddie hug me.
"You did so good." They say
"Thank you." I reply
"Number 890, open ages 9-10 In My Heart."
"Oh no, no, no." I say to Chloe
"She forgot ?" Chloe ask shocked
"Yeah." I say
I go to Maddie.
"Can I please go again ?" she asks the stage manager while freaking out.
"Abby is going to hate me." Maddie say while crying. Melissa and Kenzie come backstage.
"Maddie don't worry, she isn't going to be mad." I say while hugging her.
"It's not fair they just threw you out there !" Melissa shout coming our way
"Abby is going to hate me." Maddie says
"She's not, look at me." Melissa says.
"She's gonna hate me I've never done this." Maddie says, the Ziegler's and Melissa go in the green room
I go to Chloe.
"Good luck. Love you." I say
"Number 892, open ages 9-10, Red Queen."
"You did like so good !" I exclaim
She hugs me. We run back to the dressing.
We go behind the curtains, where Maddie is.
"Look it's not bad." I say
"Tell her how it feels, Chloe. You did it too." Melissa says
We comforts Maddie the hardest we can.
Abby come in the room.
Maddie goes out the curtains and hug Maddie. Chloe and I stay together, Maddie joins us.
Mom and Abby start to argue, we go to the awards.
Awards
I hold Chloe hand.
"Top ten junior soloists, seven place, Queen Of Heart, Kendall."
"Second place, Maleficent, Naïla."
I got up and take my award.
"And our top junior soloist today, please put your hand together for number 892, Red Queen."
"Woohoo !" I exclaim along with the other girls
We go back to the dressing room.
"You did great." Mom says
"Thanks." I reply
It was a great week !