It's showtime...

Praise Him with Dance 2012,  Zoe's annual summer recital, is here. She has been preparing for this show for months, and in the last 8 days alone she's spent 37 hours in class, rehearsals, and shows! We were excited to get to watch her perform, and love being a part of this wonderful group.
We bagged up her different costumes, filled her case with make-up, hair pieces, and body glitter, and packed lots of snacks. She was ready to check in!

 I was watching the first show with Joe and Cooper. Mimi and Jax came down to watch too. Unfortunately, Gramps had to work, so he will have to catch the show on video.

 It was a long show (3 full hours!) but it was a joy to watch and the boys were very patient! Zoe danced in four numbers. I was able to get a few pictures from the audience, although a lot were blurry since I couldn't use the flash. Hopefully the professional photographers got some good ones!
Her first dance was a techno-jazz number:

Next was a beautiful ballet dance:

Her third number was a fun Jazz piece called "Battle". Zoe played a boxer in the middle of the ring at the beginning of the dance.

 Her final number was an emotional and strong piece called "Beauty in the Breakdown". It was a lyrical number choreographed for the cause of Human Trafficking. Miss Nicole is brilliant with her choreography and raising awareness. Zoe was a background dancer, playing a young "victim".

Before the finale, Nicole called up all of the dancers who had been accepted at various Company Summer Intensives. She had each one tell their names, ages, where they were accepted, and where they were attending. Zoe was able to announce that she had been accepted into the ABT Junior Program in New York City, ABT Alabama, and Gelsey Kirkland Academy in New York.

It was neat to hear the accomplishments of these dancers. Although some are traveling across the country, many are staying here to attend our local intensive due to the high expense of these programs.
The dancers came out for their final bow after the finale!

We gave Zoe some flowers, and Mimi brought her a beautiful necklace with a pointe shoe charm.

For the Saturday night show, and the Sunday afternoon show, I was working backstage. It was so fun to be behind the scenes with these dancers.  I love seeing the girls together in their various dressing rooms, and supporting each other with prayer and laughter! It is an uplifting experience just to be around all of them.

 Nicole starts every performance by gathering the dancers together to encourage them, and pray over the dancers and show.

I was working Stage Left, so I got to see them all as they went on stage, and was able to get a few pictures from the side too.

After the final show wrapped up, we headed to the cast party. This is always such a fun time for them to all be together, celebrating their hard work! I wish I'd gotten more pictures from the night, but I put my camera away right after we got there.

 Congratulations on another successful performance Zoe!! You have worked so hard this past year, and your dancing has improved by "leaps and bounds." More importantly, your Faith has grown and we couldn't be more proud of you!