Backstage: Third Time's the Charm

Sasha Roy

Sasha Roy
Grade 12
Dance program

I ripped the number from my shirt. I'd been through six auditions for different companies, and it seemed like they would all end the same. Royal Winnipeg and the American Ballet had already rejected me. I hadn't heard back from the others, but it didn't make me feel any more hopeful.

Graduation was only two months away. This last semester had flown by so fast, I couldn't believe it was already April.

"Sasha."

I turned to face the familiar voice that had called me.

"Ms. Maria?"

She smiled and reached out to hug me. "It's so lovely to see you."

"I didn't know you were with the National Ballet of Canada."

Her long skirt swished against the dance floor. "My contract with the Tours was up, and I've known the director, Fabio, for years. He asked if I would be willing to work in an administrative position."

Ms. Maria couldn't dance anymore because of an old injury like Ms. Staut.

I smiled in spite of my worries. "I'm glad to see you. We all miss you here."

"I miss you guys too. Vanessa and Carly email me sometimes to keep me updated."

My heart twisted at the mention of Carly.

"You dance so well, Sasha. But is something wrong? You don't seem like yourself."

"Maybe we should sit down," I said.

We sat next to each other on one of the benches off to the side. Slowly, I filled Ms. Maria in on everything that had happened since she'd been fired from Keaton.

"And now, Carly and I have broken up," I said. I avoided mentioning why.

Ms. Maria pursed her lips. "Have you applied to any universities?"

I nodded. "Julliard, of course. The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. The Boston Conservatory. New York Conservatory," I trailed off. "I even applied to NYU."

"Really?" Her eyebrows made v's of confusion.

"I'm a part of the school newspaper here. I thought maybe if I didn't get in to the conservatories, I could major in journalism and still study dance."

"That's wise," she hesitated.

"But?"

"Sasha, you have a lot of potential. I know you don't see it. And Vanessa told me about your health scare last year. But don't settle for anything less than what you've dreamed of."

"I love dance." I rubbed my hands together. "I love dance more than anything. I can't imagine giving it up."

"Then don't," she said. "And don't give up on Carly either."

*****************

My phone rang, and I fumbled for it as I unlocked the front door to my family's apartment. "Hello?"

"Is this Sasha Roy?"

"This is him." I held the phone in place with my shoulder and kicked the door closed.

"My name is Jane. I'm with the Alberta Company."

"Really?"

"You auditioned for us last week at Keaton. We wanted to thank you, but currently you don't fit the style we're looking for."

The phone clicked, and the call ended. I gripped my phone and struggled not to throw it across the living room.

"Sasha, is that you?" My mom called from her bedroom.