Dancing for the
Holidays!
The Christmas season is our favorite time of the year. We
get to spend time with our family, eat delicious foods, play with our cousins
and close friends and we get to spread a little holiday cheer. Kayla and I just
wrapped a 6 show performance with the legendary, Debbie Allen. We performed in
the “The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker” at UCLA’s Royce Hall.
What an amazing experience! We practiced under the direction
of Ms. Allen weekly for the past few months. You know how rehearsals are;
sometimes you don’t see how the show will come together. At the first dress rehearsal it all came
together. It was beautiful! Seeing all the costumes and the numbers we
practiced, it was AMAZING!!
Working with Ms. Allen, was truly a rewarding experience.
She treated us all like young adults. We had an early call time, hair and
make-up, she spoke to us and treated us like the young professionals that we
are. She also mentioned that we, the younger girls, need to learn how to put on
makeup. I can’t wait to tell mommy that one- “Ms. Allen wants me to play in
make-up” yes – my mom will LOVE that one!
All 6 of the performances were outstanding. There were a few
celebrities in the audience like Angela Bassett, Boris Kodjoe and his wife
Nicole Parker, and many others. It was a GREAT experience. I learned that the money raised from the
ticket sales help to support the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. The money raised
from this production is used to provide scholarships for kids to attend dance
classes. How cool is that?!! So while we are doing one of the things we love to
do, which is dance – we are also raising money to help other kids do the same.
If you missed the Hot Chocolate Nutcracker this year, be
sure to check it out next year. That’s right there will be another performance
next year. It’s a show you will not want to miss!!
Tootles!
Kendyl Sherri