A Christmas Show

Honorable Mention, teens' essays

Elle Jansen |

12/18/2008 - 12/19/08

I sat staring at my reflection in the clear glass mirror. It was illuminated by what seemed like millions of bright, luminescent lights. I turned my head to watch as the other girls filed in one-by-one with their trunks of make-up and duffel bags of clothes and costumes.

"Oh my goodness, I am so excited!" I could hear my friend, Cali, in the hallway, her voice overwhelmed with excitement.

I quickly pushed the metal chair I was sitting in out from under me and started for the door. There, standing in the hallway, was a group of my closed friend huddled in a group. I was so happy to see their faces.

"Hey, you guys!" I said, walking closer to them. Each turned her head and smiled sweetly as I greeted them.

"Hey, aren't you so excited? The show is finally here," said Cali in her energetic voice, sharing the excitement with everyone.

"Very!" I replied, controlling myself a little more than she was.

I was excited — very excited! Today was the first day of the weekend I have been waiting for, the weekend I have worked so hard and practiced for. I couldn't wait to show off all my hard work.

"FIVE MINUTES TILL WARM-UP!" yelled the voice of our stage manager. She seemed to be just as excited as we were.

'THANK YOU! FIVE!" we all yelled back in harmony. This was a tradition at our dance studio; whenever the stage manager would yell something, we would repeat it with the same enthusiasm.

"Oh, no — I only have 5 minutes to get ready," said another excited voice, this the voice of Emily.

"Yeah, same here. We will meet you on stage," said Micaela, as she walked into the dressing room I had just come from.

I watched them walk away until they mixed in with all the other girls frantically getting ready. I turned and walked down the short hall until I reached a turn in the hallway. I took a deep breath and walked through the archway. There, in front of me, was the giant stage of the James A. Little Theater.

I took a step onto the smooth dance floor and looked out at the empty seats of the auditorium. These seats were about to be filled with screaming kids and teachers, all of them with the Christmas spirit in their hearts. They would watch the annual Christmas show of the Moving People Dance Center. Today was the kids' show. For us, this was like a dress rehearsal. I found an empty seat on the ground and sat down, waiting for the warm-up to start.


I could hear the soft voice of the narrator speaking on stage. I wasn't sure what part it was exactly because my eyes were stuck shut, as if glued with Super Glue. I could hear the anxious whispers of my fellow dancers, all their voices filled with worry and excitement.

As the loud music started to blare through the auditorium speakers, I felt butterflies in my stomach. I quickly opened my eyes to find girls in white beaded skirts flying across the stage in a swirl of graceful motion.

I watched the girls fly into the wings and my body said, "GO." Before I knew it, I was in the middle of the stage, dancing my heart out. I had danced on this stage many times before, but each time the thrill got better and better. I had grown up on stage, performing for many people. It was my home. Dancing is my life; it's a place where I can escape from everything, where I can be one with myself.

I abruptly brought myself back to the dance. I looked out over the now-filled auditorium. The bright lights made my eyes squint, but it didn't matter. I was here, right now, this very moment doing what I love at my favorite time of the year, the holidays. Nothing else mattered. All that mattered was this moment and the joy I felt. Isn't that the way life should be — filled with joy and contentment?