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[Nov. 25th, 2018|04:14 pm] |
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[Nov. 26th, 2011|12:08 am] |
There's something cliche about little girls wanting to become dancers, and I wish that I could say that I was any different but I'm not. I was predisposed to become a performer. My Nan was a ballerina and my mum had been in all these musicals so it was only right that her daughter start dancing before she'd learned to walk. When I was three and able to find my center of balance, my mum enrolled me in dance classes with very little coaxing from my grandmother. She said that I was a natural from the beginning, but I attributed that to the fact that she's my mum and she has to say those things.
Ten years of ballet passed like the speed of light and the dreams of a little girl turned into the dreams of a young woman. My instructors passed the idea of my going to England to study around in their heads and then it became a reality and I had to voice what I'd known for years.
I didn't want to be a ballerina.
I loved the stage and everything about it. I loved the fact that all my training had strengthened my core and my posture. I loved that all eyes were on me and that when I moved, people followed. And I loved the fluidity and smoothness of my movements, but my passion in life was never to be a prima ballerina. I wanted to perform using every ounce of my being. I wanted to cry on cue, make people laugh and everything in between. If I had followed through and gone to England rather than enrolling in the Brent Street School of Performing Arts then I can't tell you that I would be where I am today.
It was my Grandfather that inspired and supported me to go after what I really loved and never just rely on the fact that my family had money. He also drilled into me that I should always be competent and capable so when I was 17 and learning how to drive, I started with a manual rather than an automatic. Now, I can drive both and it was the best decision of my life. You never know when the rental car is going to be something you never expected. But I digress.
My nan passed away when I was only 14 and I only met my grandfather twice because he lived in Canada while I grew up in New South Wales, but I know how proud they'd both be if they could see me now. It's been a year since Step Up 3D opened in theaters and I couldn't be prouder of everything I've been able to do since then. The Step Up franchise was something I'd seen, and loved, even before I'd auditioned, but I knew the 3D aspect was going to bring in a larger audience and send us down into history. It's been great and humbling to hear how much everyone loves the story, the choreography and writing. It's always scary when you're not only coming into a movie that's already gathered a following but you're coming into it with dancers that are the best of the best. They've been chosen because of their skill level and how much they can bring to the table. It's a little intimidating to say the least.
It was through all of those people and late nights on set that I was able to pick up new moves that I never thought possible. Rick was amazing hip hop dancer and he taught me more than I could ever dream of sharing, but he also taught me something else. Dance isn't back; it never left. It wasn't an addition to my portfolio that I wanted because it'd open more doors, it was an addition that I needed because it was the only door. Through him and the rest of the crew, I learned that it's not one or the other. I don't have to choose between being a performer and being a dancer; I've proven that I can be everything that I ever wanted to be and more. |
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