Director's note: Goldilocks will be played by Kate in this week's performances.
Once, there was a little girl named Goldilocks. She was a total beeeeeeeach to practice with, because she was always complaining about something.
This week, Goldy is taking issue with every surface ever invented.
"This floor is too slippery."
"This floor is too sticky."
"This floor is juuuuuust right."
Unfortunately, this last set of boards has only happened on the competition circuit (but only when no Latin dancers are selfishly pouring castor oil on it).
So Goldilocks is getting in her fair share of complaining and learning something new every day about herself.
The floor is too slippery.
At her best and honest self, Goldy really likes this floor. But anytime she's actually standing on it, she's hating it.
Slippery floors are no good if Goldilocks is not going to pull her center in. And squeeze her legs together. And keep her head up. AKA, "WORK". All at the same time. Boo. Hiss.
Goldilocks likes dancing lazy sometimes and slippery floors only remind her of her tendency to slack off.
The floor is too sticky.
Learning where little G doesn't get her weight over her foot by falling right over said foot? Not the most fun learning curve. Goldilocks bites it a couple times while practicing her "lines" on tacky surfaces.
Turns out? Goldilocks wasn't using proper technique to do her tricks.
Hey, Goldilocks, why don't you practice doing your big checking line by actually doing a contracheck? You know, gather, use your supporting leg, all that nonsense?
The floor is juuuuust right.
Let's face it, Goldilocks knows this never happens. The beautiful competition floor with minimal cracks between the tiles and a glossy perfection of tack? There's people on it. People who are trying to take Goldilock's blond curls off with their rondés and such. Gridlock. Road rage. Bad drivers.
And while we're at it...
The floor is too small.
Oh, because Goldilocks doesn't know how to turn? She can't rotate? Because her choreography is sooooo epic that it won't be contained in anything smaller than the WDSF Open floor (275 x 123 feet - it was almost a football field, yo)?
[Read: sarcasm.]
The floor is too big.
This seems like a ridiculous complaint, but if Goldy came from a tiny studio space and went to USDC, she might get a little overwhelmed.
But, oh, the places she'll go.
Her legs would think it's a challenge and somehow she would be transported from one corner to another. Note: her teacher/coach would remember this sudden grasp of leg swing and will harp on her to find it from here on out.
Goldilocks has learned...
Your biggest obstacles are your greatest tools. The worst practice area will teach you to stand up, use proper technique, master your floorcraft, command a space. And getting over yourself will probably help, too.
