11/30/2025
Please excuse the ramblings of a very sentimental and incredibly exhausted Choreographer.
I am so proud of, and thankful for, every single person involved in this production. We could not have made it happen without the countless hours of driving, backstage volunteering, snack runs, and liters of water used to steam costumes. Let alone the rehearsals that our dancers attended; most weekends we averaged between 10-14 hours of rehearsal and they only complained a little bit.
One of the kids turned to me yesterday and said “Miss Courteny I wish we could do it again tomorrow,” and,truly, isn't that the magic of it all?
When we were loading out the theatre last I couldn't help but think 'this is my family'. There is a magic in theatre that is lost on those not involved, that draws us back in time and time again in spite and because of the hardships. It's the addictive nature of it that makes us whisper 'let's do it again' after all the tears, the frustrations, and the broken budgets.
One of the most amazing things to watch in this show was the barriers broken down as dancers from so many places came together for this show. Dance is a community bound by our love of this art that crosses borders, languages, and cultures. I have such a strong belief in community over competition. This is a phrase I love from a teacher in Australia whose name escapes me as I write this, but I truly feel it encapsulates how I see our industry. Seeing the friendships blossom across studios and cities for these dancers has filled my heart with an incandescent joy. The excitement they all have for each other as people and as artists is the kind of thing that will make our community stronger. To the teachers of these amazing young people, thank you so much for sharing them with us. I am so proud of them, It has been an honour.
To Symphony of the Kootenays, thank you for the trust. The collaboration means the world to us. Our community is so full of incredible creative talents, and the chance for our dancers to perform with live music is something that most people never get a chance to do these days. It's an incredible feat to have over 100 people working forward for one goal. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
This show would not have been possible without the support of my family. Many of you know that this production has been fraught with the ups and downs of chronic illness and, without our extended family, it would not have been possible.
A special thank you to Cameron and Brittany, my brother and sister-in-law, for making time for both Sheri and I to be at rehearsals. And an especially huge thank you to my Auntie Rosalie and Uncle Guy for everything. My Aunt especially makes sure we are fed many times a week while Sheri, Cameron, Brittany, and I are whirlwinds of Karate and Dance.
To my friends. Thanks for dealing with my screaming into the void, my terrible schedule, and my rambling. I've had a lot of downs with the ups recently, and my ride-or-dies truly keep me (almost) sane.
To my Dad, Alex, who has supported Sheri and I in every artistic endeavour we have ever undertaken, even now when it takes us both away and wraps us up too tightly to think about much more than sugar plums and circus caravans. Thank you. I love you, thank you for being a sounding board when it all gets too much and an absolute beacon of logic in a sea of creative tides. Love you to the moon and back.
To my Mom, Sheri, who props me up on my worst days and pushes me forward on my best. Thank you for being the biggest support in my life, I would not be the person I am today without you. I have always been a torrent of a person, and so are you, even if they are in totally different ways. Most of the time we spin in the same direction, but you always deal with my extremes. My life would not be possible without you. Thank you for supporting my creative processes, my scattered thoughts, and my absurd purchases of 55 matching white costumes. I would be lost without you. Thank you for being my biggest inspiration, sparring partner, and best friend. I love you.
But, of course I digress. Thank you for supporting us, for supporting the community, for supporting the arts.
I can't wait to see you in the next one.
Courteny Green (She/Her)
Artistic Director of Stages School of Dance
