AIDA from the Inside- Volume 1

My name is Cheyenne, and I LOVE to perform. It's been my passion for as long as I could remember.

I have danced in studios, sang in choirs and acted in plays all over the Bay Area. When I was 18 (some time ago) I would have told you that I'm unstoppable. However, after taking a 5-year break from being in the spotlight I decided to audition for Stage One's Aida and my whole world got turned upside down.

I am a trained dancer, you would think those skills wouldn't go anywhere. Kind of like learning to drive stick, right?

Well... unfortunately my break in performing also came along with adding some additional weight to my 4 foot 10 frame. Weight on a shorty - VERY obvious.

So here I was in our first dance rehearsal having an internal argument with my brain and my body. I was used to seeing a routine and picking it up immediately... then as we were learning our first number I was cataloging everything that my body was SUPPOSED to be doing but when it came to making my body actually DO it... well we had a conflict.

My body flat out refused to move the way it once had and I found myself getting more and more frustrated as time went on. I could help other people with the dances, but I was still unable to do it myself. I could watch someone and point out where their hangups were and help them correct it, but when it came to me I just couldn't seem to make it happen.

I am told none of this internal struggle is evident to my cast mates - thank God, I'm supposed to be their support - but I couldn't get over how hard it was for me to do things that usually came so easy.

Within four weeks of rehearsals I have already lost four inches from my waistline and I can see improvements at every rehearsal. This show is going to be incredible... we have an amazing cast, fantastic producers, a fantastic crew and the set - its going to be beautiful.

I can't wait to get on stage and feel the energy from the audience... and I'll be here to give you my first hand experience as we go from rehearsing to performing.

You won't want to miss this event. You can get your tickets now at http://www.stage1theatre.org/