|Pyramid|
"girls! let's go come on come on come on!" Abby says as we walk in
"you should all run in here wanting to be first"
"alright so energy dance in waterfront Michigan again you were second any teacher would probably think overall high score second place was wonderful."
"and now the pyramid." Abby says and walks over to the pyramid
"on the bottom Paige and Brooke once again you're still on probation you never came to me and said hey can i enter my solo."
"Brooke you should wanna do that acrobatic routine it was beautiful"
"next Nia, Nia you did a great job with your solo you made the top ten but pay attention to the technique apply your corrections you don't always do that"
"next we have Chloe, Chloe great job in the duet came out your back leg was up on the arabesque you fixed your problems you had a good weekend"
"next on the pyramid Maddie, Maddie you had an outstanding solo you did a beautiful duet."Abby says
"next we have Kayla, Kayla you did your solo did an outstanding job, but the duet wasn't your best time dancing i know the steps were easy but you need to make easy steps look amazing"
i nod
"and on top of the pyramid this week is Mackenzie she asks the overall high score it was great and was crowned petite miss energy dance let's give her a round of applause" Abby says
and we all clap for Kenzie
"this week we will be attending star power in woodbridge virginia this is largest dance competition in the united states" Abby says
"i'm excited for the group dance we've been preparing it for weeks, Mackenzie you proved you're not a little baby anymore you must be advanced enough to be in the group dance i'm not watering down the choreography you're being expected to do whatever i give you" Abby says
Kenzie nods
"Maddie you'll be doing a routine called looking for a place like home it's a little spin there's no place like home a modern day version" Abby says
"keeping on the musical theme, Kayla you'll be doing a solo called Popular and your music is the instrumental version of Popular from the broadway show Wicked." Abby says
i beam
"Chloe you'll also be doing a solo you're solo is entitled whats goes around comes around" Abby says and glances to Christi
Brooke raises her hand
"yes Brooke?" Abby says
"this weekend is my first formal school dance and i was wondering if i would be able to go to it." Brooke says
"i think if i was in your position i would probably choose a different decision however if this is what you decided this something you wanna do from beyond me to keep you from it, you will not be in the group number this week you will not be going on the trip this week" Abby says
"thank you." Brooke says
|Group Rehearsals|
"let me see what this looks like, step out and switch hands and lunge" Abby says
we do some steps and then Abby calls us over
"girls obviously im going to replace Brooke" Abby says
"Maddie i want you to go get Payton i don't want you to make a big deal out of it just go in there and tap her on the shoulder and say come with me" Abby says
"okay" Maddie smiles and leaves the room
Maddie comes back in with Payton
"Brooke is going away this weekend so i want you to replace her" Abby says
"Payton is going to be the huntress you all will be dinner" Abby says
and we all laugh
we go to the other side from Payton
"you have your bow and you're aiming it here and get in a deep pele.. there you go" Abby says to Payton
we learn more of the dance
"5,6,7,8 slow and hold slow and hold" Abby says as we go from the top
we finish up the dance
"four days from today you'll be competing in a very large competition in the whole of the united states" Abby says
we get dismissed and we exit studio A
|Two Days To Competition|
|Group Rehearsals|
we are running through the group dance and it's really nice i like the turns i do
"turn turn straddle leap hit" Abby says
"run..quit running like a little kid you're a warrior run! you're fighting for your country run! onstage that's what i keep telling you!" Abby yells at Kenzie
"you're gonna write a report between one foot and two feet sotay and seesone their two different things" Abby tells Kenzie
"Gia i don't know why they're all confused it's the biggest competition in the united states let's go." Abby tells us
Abby then dismisses us and Maddies solo rehearsal is happening and i'm in ballet class
"stomach in chest up" our teacher says
after ballet class it's it solo rehearsal
|Solo Rehearsal|
"Kayla your solo is based of the broadway show Wicked you'll be protraying Galinda you've seen the wizard of oz right" Abby asks
"yes." i say
"alright who's Glinda?" Abby asks
"she's the good which she's really elegant and she rides in the big bubble" i say
"yes good but the version you're doing is based of the musical where Glinda the good and Elphaba who's the wicked witch are at university and Glinda is a really perky funny character the song with the lyrics is about Glinda making Elphaba popular." Abby says
"so i really want big faces and when you get home i want you to listen to the soundtrack and find a video of the song Popular to see what the actress does alright?" Abby says
"yes." i say
Abby plays the music and it really wasn't what i expected at all i thought i was gonna be doing a ballet piece
she learns me the dance and it's really fun and it's very characteristic
"okay that's good we'll clean it tomorrow and by then you'll know what faces and how to make the choreography better" Abby says
"okay." i say
"alright you can go" Abby says
"thank you" i say
|One Day To Competition|
|Early Morning Private|
mom brings me to the studio really early because Abby wanted me to rehearse luckily i listen to the soundtrack and the video and it wasn't what i was expecting but i know what faces to do
i end my solo with the long turn sequence and Abby claps
"someone did their homework good job" Abby high fives me
"i'm trying to do something i've never done before putting a kid in for two titles in two hours take advantage of every opportunity" Abby says
"i'm going to enter Kayla with Frozen in the other competition." Abby says
i smile
"now Melissa you understand this is nobody's business but ours." Abby says
"right" mom nods
"i don't want any other mother down my throat about how come you get to go and not everybody else gets to go it's our secret" Abby says
"let me see that number quickly" Abby says
i perform my Frozen solo
i do my ending pose and Abby claps
"Kayla this solo is a winner but you never won with it but i believe you can win" Abby says
we both nod "alright you can go i'll see you later" Abby says
me and mom grab our stuff and leave the Studio
i'm excited to have a chance to win two titles, but i feel bad for the other girls
but they'd do the same..right?
|Group Rehearsals|
we start running through the group routine
after we finish Abby stands up
"i felt pretty good about this number now i don't. let's go from the top from the arabesque 5,6,7,8 uh uh uh uh" Abby says
"pele use your heel glide fourth position" Abby says to Nia
"Kenzie i just told you to look over your shoulder on that" Abby says
"Mackenzie i just told you after this you need to look all the over on releve on your shoulder and you're not number one"
"number two you're a beat behind the girls the whole time"
we finish up and we get dismissed
|Competition Day|
we enter the dressing room and set up
"the group is first i believe yes?" Abby says
mom gets me Maddie and Kenzie ready and the costumes this week is rally pretty
Group costume:
i start to stretch and warm up
"girls remember what character you are when you step out there, you're warriors you're survivors" Abby says
"so Payton how's the finger?" Abby asks
"it's okay" Payton says
"okay? can i hear a good?" Abby says
Payton shakes her head
"no it's not good" Leslie says
"but it's her finger it's not her knee or her ankle or thigh" Abby says
"she's got three lift parts i just hope she doesn't stop dancing or holds back cause she's afraid of her finger getting hurt" Leslie says
"it's gonna hurt i'm not gonna lie to you it's gonna hurt for 2 minutes and 30 seconds it's going to be very painful, then you get it in ice the splint back on and continue to heal." Abby says
"Kayla let me see your headpiece in" mom whispers to me
mom sews my headpiece in
"is there a way she can dance with it" Leslie says
"the splint?" Abby says
"yes." Leslie says
"no." Abby says
"do some turns to make sure that stays" mom mumbles to me
i get up and do some turns and if stays in
"it's her finger, so she's gonna look bad in her pictures oh well. it's not gonna hurt her dancing didn't some guy survive some cliff in the arm but he's fine" Abby says
"there's your answer suck it up" Leslie says
"i got a picture from Brooke!" Kelly says
"oh i wanna see!" Christi says
we all go over to see the photo and she looks gorgeous
"she looks beautiful" Leslie says
"she does" Holly agrees
"gorgeous" Leslie says
"she looks like a big girl" mom says
"i need to save the text that says i miss you" Kelly says
"now she's gonna go kiss somebody and she won't miss you" Christi says
and Kelly laughs
we start to run through our dance
"Nia where does the head go on the push away?" Abby says
we finish the dance
"okay are we ready? alright let's go game faces girls and when i say game faces girls i really mean it this time it is a game out there" Abby says
we get our pink jackets with her names rhinestoned to the back on and we head backstage
"alright ladies and gentlemen our next routine is the huntress entry number 169" the announcer says
we enter the stage and our music starts we do our opening and i make sure to keep my technique clean
and to have my turns as clean as possible when we go around for the Kenzie getting on Payton's back but i see she misses it and i almost cringe onstage
i leap and Payton lifts me and she puts me down and i act dead. they finish the number and we exit the stage and i give Payton back her splint
|Group Awards|
"one tenth of a point seperates 1st and 2nd place" the announcer says
i cringe to Chloe and i squeeze her hand
"second place entry number 169 the huntress Abby Lee Dance Company" the announcer says
i let go of Chloes hand and smile
Maddie goes up to her the award
we head back to the dressing room
"oh there they are! good job girls" Christi says
mom hugs us "you girls were fabulous" she says
"thank you" i say
Abby then walks in
"second? a tenth of a point, how does everyone feel they did?" Abby says
i go to sit down in the chair beside my mom
"good, how do you think we did?" Payton says
"do you want me to be nice and sweet and hug and kiss all of you and tell you you were wonderful or do you want the truth?" Abby says
"the truth" Leslie says
"the truth? i just would like you to work and to want to be first there's only one winner." Abby says
we start getting ready for the solos
Kaylas costume and hair: (hair in the costume photo is not her hair lol and it's not ballet shoes obv its jazz)
i love my costume this week
"look at you! gorgeous Kayla" mom says
"thank you" i say
Chloes going over her solo
"yes dig those heels down" Abby says
"can i put her barrett while you're talking to her?" Christi asks
"yes." Abby says
after Abby talks to Chloe Abby goes over Maddies solo then mine
"remember Kayla face you need to be excited, giddy, funny , serious , moody all in the same number alright?" Abby says
"yes." i smile
"okay let's go" Abby says
we head backstage
"i just realised we are from the same movie." i say to Maddie
she laughs "oh yeah! moms gonna want photos later" Maddie laughs
"oh gosh" i say
"please welcome 250.." the announcer starts then Chloe turns around and starts to cry
"what's wrong?" i ask
she shrugs
i hug Chloe "are you hurt what's wrong?" i ask again
"i feel like i'm going to forget it" she says
"no you won't don't cry you'll be amazing" i say
"Please welcome 258 competing for the title junior miss please welcome Chloe to the stage" the announcer says
"go! you'll be fine" i say
she enters the stage
"is she okay?" Maddie comes over
"she thinks she's going to forget it" i say
"was she crying?" Maddie asks
"yeah." i say
Chloes solo is nice this week she did well with what she was given but Abby could've done better
she comes off stage and i hug her so tight "see you did it!" i say
"competing for the title junior miss help me welcome Maddie!" the announcer says
"the fact i dance right after her and i'm Glinda" i say
"a theme is occurring" Chloe laughs
i laugh
"her solo is so good i'm so nervous" i say
"if i was fine you'll be fine" Chloe hugs me
Maddie finishes she's solo and she exits and i hug her
"i think that is my favourite solo yet" i say to her
"thank you" she says
i shake of my nerves and i get ready to perform
"also competing for the title junior miss please welcome Kayla" the announcer says
i run on acting all bubbly and i wave to one of the judges
my music starts and it's a little hard to do faces with just a backing track but i make it work
i get to the end of my dance with the long turn sequence and i go into my ending pose and i exit the stage while staying in character the whole time
"you nailed the turns" Maddie hugs me
"thank you" i say and i take a drink of water
|Solo Awards|
"our second runner up for junior miss is Chloe for what goes around" the announcer says
i clap for Chloe and she stands up to get her award
"our first runner up for junior miss is Maddie with Looking For A Place Called Home" the announcer says
i clap for Maddie as she gets her award
"and junior miss will be Kayla" the announcer says
i smile and i stand to get my crown and banner
"what studio are you from?" the announcer asks
"Abby Lee Dance Company" i answer
one title down, one to go
we start walking back to the dressing room
and we enter the dressing room
"well done Kayla" mom says and hugs me
and Abby walks in
"outstanding, Chloe wonderful, Maddie you were breathtaking and Kayla i can't believe you won that title but you know what you're only as good as your last performance so Melissa i'm taking her to the other competition and she's going to do Frozen" Abby says
"what?" mom says
"Kayla i need you to get dressed and we need to fix your hair" Abby says
we get our things and i put on my team jacket
"okay we ready? come on babydoll" Abby says and we exit the dressing room
"Kayla you understand you just won this whole thing you can win their whole thing and i mean no pressure" Abby says
we head to the bathrooms to get changed for the next competition and i get changed
the moms seemed really mad, but i'm just doing what Miss Abby is telling to do
she wants me to win
she wants me to be the best
she believes that i can do it.
Kaylas costume and hair:
Abby then does my hair
and we head for a taxi
"okay when we go in here don't forget game face on nose up in the air go out there and do your best" Abby tells us
i nod
"this is good let's go right through that door Melissa" Abby says
"okay go go go go Kayla don't wait for me run" Abby says
i get out of the car and i run to the backstage
we get backstage and mom and Abby follows me
Abby helps me stretch backstage
"you just got that award for lighting up the stage that's what i need you to do yes? and if the dance is cry every one of those judges should be in tears got it? yes?" Abby says to me
i nod
"please welcome Frozen" the announcer says and i enter the stage
my music starts and i perform my heart out i get up to my turn sequence and i do it very clean if i say so myself i go into my ending pose on the ground with my hand above me while me looking at it and the crowd cheers and i exit
"that was phenomenal" Abby says and hugs me
"thank you" i smile
|Awards|
"we have a first runner up going to entry number 343 mega with janet" the announcer says
"and your junior miss star power 2012 will be entry number 327 Kayla with Frozen" the announcer says
i see my mom and Abby cheer and i beam and i get my award and crown!
"what choreographed your solo?" the announcer asks
"Abby Lee Miller" i say
"and what studio do you represent" the announcer asks
"Abby Lee Dance Company" i say
"congratulations!" the announcer says
we bow and exit the stage and we start to walk outside to find our mom and Abby
i'm getting good at this title thing
"there she is!" Abby says as i walk outside
and Abby hugs us
"two crowns in the one day!"
i give a huge smile
"i'm very proud of you" Abby says
"thank you" i beam
we then get in the taxi ready to go home!
i hope the girls don't hate me
if they could they'd do the same as me.