Broadway Bound

Chapter 3

We walked to the far side of the wide studio. The floor was a tan polished wood. The room itself was simple with 2 walls containing ballet barres with gray-blue walls. 20 cubby cubes sat next to the wall of floor to ceiling windows. The front of the room had a set of gleaming mirrors. We set our bags next to the cubbies before changing out shoes. I opted for my beige set of turners while Katie donned her battered pair of black jazz shoes. I grabbed my headphones and began warming up, working from my shoulders down to my legs. I settled into my straddle stretch with either leg stretched out to the side while leaning down till my chest touched the floor. The soft music of "Falling Slowly" from "Once" wrapped around me as I relaxed. Katie tapped my shoulder. I looked up and popped an ear out from the headphones.

"Mrs. Dakota." She whispered getting to her feet.

I rolled back to my hips before standing quickly. Mrs. Dakota strode to the front of the room.

"Gather around. I don't have a lot of time." She quipped.

We quickly gathered around her, jostling for a front-row spot. The 25 of us spread around in a crescent shape.

"Due to a staffing shortage, we have a guest instructor through Winter break. Please give a warm welcome to Ms. Hadley Avery, our choreographer for Beauty and the Beast."

Polite applause spread among us as a lithe woman no older than 20 strode in. She had a bright face with striking blue eyes and a welcoming smile. Her blonde hair was tied up into a ponytail on the top of her head. She wore a simple burgundy oversized shirt and gray sweatpants and carried a pair of jazz shoes.

"I trust you all will be on your best behavior." Mrs. Dakota said.

"Yes Ma'am." We chorused.

"Tell them a bit about yourself." Mrs. Dakota urged checking her watch.

"Thank you Mrs. D." She said brightly, "Super quick, I did not take classes here, I took private lessons from Mrs. Dakota at my studio. I've studied styles from ballet to jazz to musical theater. I've had the privilege of being in a couple touring companies as a principal dancer and a dance company. After this production here, I will be returning to New York to join the company of "On The Town."' She said.

A few people looked on in awe.

"Before I leave, Those of you missing your fall schedules will get them after class."

A few people nodded in agreement. My schedule sat in the inside pocket of my duffle with my snacks.

"I leave you in Hadley's capable hands." Mrs. Dakota said as she went to leave.

Our attention became locked on the lanky instructor.

"I will be the instructor of all basic dance classes for upper classes and some middle classes. We have two weeks till auditions, and we have a lot to go over. We won't be wasting any more time. Block up."

Students quickly scattered to the edges of the room to shed outer garments and grab their shoes. Kaite and I strolled to our normal spots at the front right corner of the studio. Oher students began filling in the gaps around us. Hadley nodded in approval.

"We're going to lay down some rules. You should have your shoes on and ready to warm up before the beginning of class. Being late, even once, will result in conditioning. Please remember that dance is physical, so dress appropriately. Leos and tights or yoga pants are preferred. You will be told what our primary style for the day in advance. For the next two weeks, we will be focusing on technique and audition prep."

I snapped to attention. Katie slid a shocked look over to me. A few students murmured around us. She smirked.

"And now you all realize how important this class is with me."