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 It's Lynne here and I'm writing my first diary entry as a Scottish Rockette Rookie!! I can hardly believe it! I have always dreamed of dancing professionally and it has finally come true!
I first heard of the Rockettes through my best friend Cara and she texted me one day to let me know that tryouts for the Rockettes were going to be held in June. She told me to visit the website to see what I thought and that's exactly what I did. After spending hours looking at the website, reading diary entries and being in complete amazement of how gorgeous all the girls were, I knew I wanted to give it a go and not let the opportunity pass me by.
Cara kept me up-to-date with the tryout details while I was sunning myself in Portugal and when I arrived home, I realised a few extra trips to the gym might help work off the meals and those after-dinner ice-creams!
The tryout day was nearing and I was getting really excited but quite anxious as I didn't really know what to expect! (even after visiting the website twenty times a day!). The day before the big day, my other best friend Meg decided to give the tryouts a go too and I was so pleased that I would have someone with me!
On the day of the tryouts, I got up very early (too early) and tried to beautify myself!! (TRY being the operative word!). I made sure I had a large supply of water and bananas as I knew we would be on the go all day! I met Meg in the car park and we walked into the JJB gym together. We were both so nervous and totally star-struck as we recognised all the Rockettes from the website and we couldn't stop looking at them!! They were tanned, beautiful, gorgeous, stunning girls with lovely figures! Once we handed in our application forms we waited in the seating area for everyone to arrive and some of the Rockettes came over to chat to us. They made us feel welcome and told us we had nothing to be worried about! They were so lovely! (did I mention they were good-looking?!). As more of the Rockettes arrived, Meg and I soon realised that we had been on the website just a little too much as we were able to identify each Rockette and know bits about them! I'm not a stalker, honest!
Once everyone had arrived, we moved to the dance studio where Carole Anne explained the schedule for the day. After a body-combat warm-up and some stretches, we then completed a circuit involving sit-ups, press-ups and every other exercise imaginable! It was hard going but it was a great work out! During all this, I was also surprised to find a photographer snapping away throughout the sessions! I tried my best to avoid any pictures during the vigorous circuit as I could only express feelings of pain and discomfort!
After thinking the tryouts were coming to an end, we were whisked around the gym to complete some fitness and flexibility tests! Woo hoo! We then went back to the studio to learn a jazz routine by Carole Anne and this was then performed in groups of three. I managed to remember the routine and performed as best I could and after everyone had been seen, all that was left to do was to return home and sleep!!
A few days later and after many hours of sleep, I was so pleased to hear I had made it to the final tryouts! Meg also got through and we returned the following week with the dance routine practiced so much, it was coming out of our ears!! It was great to see so many girls had been asked back as the standard was so high and everyone had done so well.
After warming up, we then learned more of the dance routine and we were then free to practice until our numbers were called. After running through the routine myself and watching others mark it through anxiously, I was up! I was so excited about meeting the panel of judges and couldn't believe I was dancing in front of radio and TV stars! Before performing the routine, they asked us some questions to get to know us and this helped calm my nerves a little. The routine went reasonably well but I took a blank near the end and forgot the parts of the new section we had just learned. I was so disappointed but knew there was nothing I could do about it.
After waiting, for what seemed like an eternity, for all the girls to be seen and for the judges to make decisions on the squads, we were then asked to gather in the studio. I remember feeling so nervous as we sat on the floor and listened to Carole Anne. Adrian Coll then began to read the names of the girls that had made it into the Pro-Dance Squad and eight Rockettes from previous years made it in again. There were four spaces left and as there were so many great dancers and personalities, I was so sure my name wasn't going to be called. However, to my complete and utter amazement, my name was read out and I stumbled up to the group of Rockettes. I was so happy and couldn't believe I had made it into a pro squad!
The tryouts were great fun and I got to meet lots of new people. If my name hadn't been called, I would definitely be back next year to try again. I can't wait for the season to begin and I'm looking forward to performing alongside my new friends!
Look forward to seeing you all soon,
Lots of love, hugs and kisses,
Lynne xxxxxx
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