Whether they are rehearsing for a small performance at an event or a big concert or competition, dancers often find their schedules filled with rehearsal time outside of normal classes. Even though every rehearsal is different, I find myself having many of the same thoughts rehearsal after rehearsal. If I have a longer rehearsal, more of these will pop into my head.

My body still feels cold.

No matter how much I stretch before rehearsal time starts, I always feel like I could stretch more.

I like that combination.

There are parts of every dance that I instantly love and others that take time to grow on me.

Where should I be facing?

Sometimes to add depth to a piece of choreography, the choreographer has dancers facing different directions rather than everyone facing the audience.

Wow, I forgot what movement I just did.

During a rehearsal, there is so much movement that is taught that sometimes you completely blank on what you just did.

Can we put this all together?

If you keep trying to add on choreography without going back to review the sequence, you’ll forget the beginning of what you learned.

What time is it?

Translate: how long have I been in rehearsal already?

Only ‘x’ hours and minutes to go.

That can seem like a long time when you’ve already been rehearsing for hours.

I have to use the restroom.

If I’m in the middle of learning a new combination, I dislike leaving for any reason because I miss some of the explanation.

We’ve learned ‘x’ amount of choreography today – how productive!

I enjoy reflecting on how much the dancers and choreographer have accomplished.

I love dancing.

No matter how long or tedious the rehearsal is, every day I dance I am reminded of how much I enjoy dancing.

Am I doing this right?

When learning new choreography, every dancer wonders if they are bringing the choreographer’s vision to life.

Ok, these patterns are starting to blend together.

After being in rehearsal for a while, you’ve learned so much material that your brain can start getting confused.

I cannot absorb any more choreography today.

Every dancer has that point when they cannot function any longer, much less learn anymore new material.

My whole body hurts.

That’s what happens when you’re in the studio for hours and hours every day.

Almost there.

Yes, I have, in fact, almost conquered this rehearsal.

That was fun and productive but I’m exhausted.

No explanation needed.

I have to be back in the studio in ‘x’ hours.

When I have an evening rehearsal during the weekdays and then dance at 8:00 the next morning, that number is normally less than 10 hours.

I need sleep.

When you dance 5, 6, sometimes 7 hours in one day, this thought really hits home.