Dancers from "In Celtic Days" stretch prior to their performance on Jamestown's stage.
The music played and we danced before an audience at Jamestown's 400th Anniversary Celebration. The stage was outside so we had the sun for our stage lights. It was hot, but it felt so good to be dancing!
The day my dance instructor told us we were going to Jamestown, I was so excited! She said we were the only troupe asked to go and I knew it was a huge honor. The following weeks we practiced in the studio for hours each day. Every time I saw Jamestown anniversary license plates I thought: I'm going to be there!
We drove to Jamestown on May 11. The next day we woke up early and received our talent badges so we could get in. We were all wearing new pink Highlands Ballet T-shirts and I was so excited. I felt like I was part of a special group, and that was a great feeling.
We all got into different vehicles to ride to Jamestown. I was in the vehicle with my teachers. We had the costumes and stage equipment, so we were supposed to go back to the stage while the other vehicles parked in the normal lots. We went to several gates until they told us we had to have a security pass. Finally the person in charge got us in. (Editor's Note: Heightened security measures were in place because both the Queen of England and U.S. President George W. Bush were in Jamestown.)
They had us all get out of the car so a bloodhound could sniff it. I thought this was really funny, as I had never seen a car get sniffed before. We were also told that our bags were subject to search at any time.
When we finally got to the stage, we met the rest of the group. We warmed up in our sweat pants and dance sneakers, holding onto a fence. It was really fun doing something like that out of the ordinary, and our moms took pictures.
The media had publicized that we would dance for the Queen of England, but we knew her schedule had changed. One friend had read the paper and was so excited for me. When I told her I wasn't going to be dancing for the Queen, she said, "But Caitlin, you dance for one greater than Queen Elizabeth. You dance for Queen Elizabeth's 'King'." Dancing on the stage, with the sun shining down I thought, "Yes! Jesus, this is my dance for you. Not for the Queen. Not for the people who are out there. But for you." And I danced my heart out.
Following our presentation, actor James Earl Jones presented some readings on the same stage as we were leaving.
I had a great time dancing in Jamestown and it is something that I will never forget. I feel honored, and the people who watched absolutely loved it. The production director, who had just seen the Birmingham Royal Ballet, told us we were "right up there with the Birmingham Royal" and even wanted a copy of our music!
Editor's Note: Caitlin Gregorczyk (pronounced Gre-GOR-sick) lives in Abingdon, Va. and has been home schooled. She has been dancing with Highlands Ballet for 14 years. This fall she enters the dance program at Bellhaven College in Jackson, Miss.
CATCH A PERFORMANCE:
On Thursday, Aug. 9, Highlands Ballet Company will present Come Home to Virginia, followed by a reception at the dance studio on Lee Highway, just off I-81 Exit 13 in Abingdon. The free event will be held from 7-9 p.m. Featured will be excerpts from In Celtic Days, Down to the River to Pray and Nobody Left But the Baby. 276-623-0822.
