Waiting Backstage

Whenever you're backstage you don't think about how nervous you are, or whether or not you're ready. But it all comes down on your shoulders when you're waiting in the wing. The lights are shining on the dancers before you; they glide across the stage. The music plays; the audience is spellbound. You can hear the dancers breathing hard, but their faces look brilliant in the lights; and they move with feigned ease. As the music fades, the audience erupts into applause that consumes the air. The roar slowly fades into a spattering. It's then--right at that moment, before you step out onto the stage where all can see you--right then your mind and body are consumed by small butterflies and your hands and body shake and then... everything's silent. Your mind, heart, soul and body take a soundless breath. The people are waiting; waiting for the silence to form itself into a body, and the body into a dance. Your entrance. A breath floats through the audience. The beginning of the magic. You’re ready.