We’re deep in the teeth of a new short (~20 mins I think?) ballet in which I’m mostly doing pas de deux with tons of lifts[1].

1. Metaphorical tons, though I suppose that if one adds up the weight of all the lifts I’ve done in the course of learning and rehearsing this piece, it’s way more than one ton … That’s a very weird thought. There are more than 10 lifts in the main pas de deux and a few more in the finale [2], and assuming my partner weighs 100 pounds (I’m not great at estimating weight, but that would be pretty light for a full–gown ballerina) that’s significantly more than 1000 pounds total per run. And there’s a press lift in the finale, just for kicks ^-^’
2. I’m going have to count the lifts with pen and paper; when I try to just visualize my way through, I lose track the very second I run out of fingers

I finished today’s rehearsal with the extremely satisfying thought that I, in this piece, get to be a human rollercoaster.

Next week we start another short ballet (they’re for an upcoming show with three pieces). I’m doing pas de deux in that one, too.

It’s weird to have entered this part of my career where I’m suddenly doing meaty pas de deux; principal roles that stretch me as a dancer and an artist.

Back in the day, I always said I’d be happy to be a permanent corps boy somewhere, and I don’t think that was incorrect – I love the whole process of class and rehearsal.  Whether I’m in a principal role or dancing in the inevitable Village Festivities Waltz is immaterial to me as long as I can dance.

That said, I’m not complaining for a second about finding myself in a company where I have a chance to do the work I’m doing now (never mind the fact that there are very few companies in the US with enough guys for “corps boy” to even be a thing). 

I just don’t think I ever imagined I’d be working like I am right now, learning new choreography hand over fist, being trusted with hard stuff (some of the pas work in this piece is very challenging).

My life isn’t perfect. There are still a lot of bumps in the road. But I still feel incredibly, incredibly lucky to be doing what I’m doing now.