This is the image that will stick with me for the rest of my life.
My brain still can’t quite full comprehend that just next to one of those
flames I am stood, performing to billions of people across the world in the
London 2012 Olympic Opening ceremony.
The journey started almost a year ago when I saw an advert on
Twitter (how terribly modern) for auditions for dancers for the Olympic Opening
ceremony. I took a curious glance to see what the criteria was and to my
surprise no experience was necessary. I didn’t think this could be right! But I
thought nothing ventured, nothing gained so I applied. Having up until this
point only taken Michael Jackson style dance classes (which to be fair come
in handy on a night out!) I doubted I would even get through the application
process.
When my audition date arrived I headed to 3 Mills Studios in
Bromley-By-Bow and I was nervous. I had never auditioned before in my life and
was sure I would be the person with the least experience there. I was
certain I was about to step onto the set of ‘Fame’ and although I had sneaked
through the application process I would suddenly be outed as an infiltrator.
In fact the audition process was brilliant! I had a fantastic day
meeting such enthusiastic people who were just as nervous and shocked to be
there as I was. We were inspired by videos of previous ceremonies and regaled tales
of people’s memories of previous ceremonies. The range of people was so diverse
it was inspiring. People of all ages and walks of life were taking a shot to be
involved in the biggest show London would ever put on. We ran around in a giant game of battleship,
danced to Beyonce (it was a sign!!) and acted our way through a scene involving
vigorous teeth brushing and Oyster Card swiping.
I left on a high. I was sure I may not get through but just to be
able to say I auditioned for the Olympics was enough.
The next day I received an email saying I had been successful and
was invited to attend a role specific audition. Surely this wasn’t real? I was
so excited! And curious as to what the role may be. I was hoping for dance (as
this is my passion) but terrified that if I was against actual dancers, people
who had danced their whole lives, performed in shows and took regular classes,
that there was no way I would get in.
Three weeks later when I arrived once more at 3 Mills everyone was
wearing sweats. This was a good sign! It was almost certainly a dance audition.
But then the fear returned. What would be in store? I now realised I wanted to
be involved more than I thought and didn’t want this to be the end of the road.
Once the audition started I relaxed – in fact you couldn’t do
anything other than enjoy! It was hours of dancing fun and the buzz was
brilliant. At the end when we danced to ‘Moves Like Jagger’ everyone, even the
paramedics, were dancing! It was an infectious jubilant mood! Once more I left
on a high, happy to have been given the opportunity to be invited to audition.
We then had a nervous 8 week wait to know whether we were in or
not. I had a friend who had also auditioned and whenever an email was sent she
would receive hers around 8 hours before
I received mine. I always took this as a sign of not being ‘in’.
On the 13th January around 8PM I received the email. ‘Congratulations! London 2012 Ceremonies
are pleased to inform you that you have been successful in your audition to
become a Ceremonies Volunteer Performer in the London 2012 Olympic Games
Opening Ceremony’. I couldn’t believe it! I was
going to be in the opening ceremony of the Olympics! I cried with
joy. Whoever thought someone with no experience would be given the opportunity
to represent their country and perform on the world’s biggest stage?
Rehearsals started in April. I was so excited to get going. Unfortunately
for me three weeks before our first rehearsal I had to have an emergency
operation of my back. This lead to me having a section of my back removed and
needing to see a nurse every day for 6 weeks. I was told I may have to accept
defeat and pull out of the show. I was flabbergasted. At no point had I ever
contemplated I may not be able to take part.
Three weeks later and it was the first rehearsal. The operation
was more serious than I thought and this was the first time I had been properly
out of my house and moving since my operation. It seemed impossible that I
would be able to dance but I was determined I would not let this opportunity slip
through my fingers.
Once more I returned to 3 Mills, which would be our home for the
next five Sunday’s. We received our Olympic accreditation (well actually I didn’t.
My photo was never right and I spent the first 4 weeks having my photo taken!).
It felt real all of a sudden. I mean I had a BADGE!
We sat in one of the sound stages and all of us nervously but
excitedly spoke with our fellow volunteers about how we couldn’t believe we
were here! Then Steve Boyd – the softly spoke but ever so enthusiastic American
who guided us through our auditions – introduced Danny Boyle. The Danny Boyle.
I was so excited! I was sure other people would lead our section and Danny
would direct from afar. But this was our first opportunity to see just how
hands on, and how down to earth, Danny was.
When Danny explained our section I was overjoyed. The concept
sounded fantastic! A blend of the best of British pop music combined with a
thank you to Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the British inventor of the World Wide Web
and the man responsible for how we live in the modern technological age. We were then shown a storyboarded video of our
segment. I can’t lie, I choked up a bit when I realised just how proud this
segment made me feel to be British. I could not wait to start learning the
choreography. Plus my segment was the 80’s and 90’s – totally music I grew up
with!
Danny then took smaller groups to look at a scale model of the
stadium. It was huge! I couldn’t believe we would be performing in such a huge
arena, the OLYMPIC arena at that.
Then we split into two groups and moved into another sound stage.
The first rehearsal was hard. Nearly 4 hours of constant dancing. I was in
agony. We were lined up, drilled with choreography and then performed two rows
at a time. There was a feeling of at any moment if you messed up you would be
kicked out. The team reassured us that we were through so we could relax but
everybody was on edge. I felt gutted. I
knew I was underperforming but the fact I was even moving was a feat unto itself!
At the very end I spoke to mass movement to let them know of my situation. I
was told it was OK for me to sit out the last two runs of choreography but the
message was passed onto my cast coordinator. I was asked if this was a reoccurring
problem and couldn’t help feel like I possibly may be relegated to an understudy
position or moved to a space where I may not really be visible.
At the end I was ready to lie down and rest. I felt a mix of
emotions. Such excitement of being in on the secret, enthusiastic to keep
learning more choreography but also worried that maybe my body was not ready...
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