Today’s blog post comes from Bradley Lundberg, Malashock Company Dancer. See Bradley perform in the Malashock Dance production SURFACE TENSION, October 10-11 at the Lyceum Theatre in Downtown San Diego.

I can’t believe the show is almost here and summer is over. As I look forward to going back into rehearsal for Malashock Dance’s Fall production, SURFACE TENSION, I can’t help but wonder if it will hurt as much as last time. The rehearsal process has been very fun, but interesting to say the least. Being able to work intensely everyday for 3 weeks when I was on summer vacation from my job as a Special Ed Teacher allowed me the opportunity to dance more in the show than my busy schedule normally allows. But leaving the material for almost a month (Michael and John had to fly to Minneapolis to reset the dances for THE PEARL FISHERS) before we bring it back for the show in the next couple of weeks is not the way things are usually done. Thank God for muscle memory. I am constantly amazed at how organized Michael can be with all our conflicting schedules and is able to find the rehearsal time each piece needs.

I enjoyed dancing Michael’s movement and was especially looking forward to it after I saw the material that he created on the summer workshop dancers. But, OW!. Yes I said it. OUCH!!!! That first week of rehearsals were very intense cuz I’m not as young as I used to be. Where as, I love to dance floor work, I forgot how demanding learning new choreography is until you figure it out and dance it more efficiently. I have new sympathy for my students when I throw a new floor phrase at them. Of course, I still make them do it, but now I’m sympathetic.

For 2 weeks we worked on Michael’s piece and we used every minute of his rehearsal time. Except for maybe the first few days where he let us go a little early since I was cramping up so bad. Apparently when I cramp the sound I make is a mix between me laughing hysterically and crying. Who knew? Luckily, Michael was very understanding. He would laugh at me and then let me lie there for 5 minutes moaning before he would make us run it again. (Monster, right?)

Right in the middle of those two weeks of rehearsal for Michael, I had a week of rehearsals for a new duet by John for Nicholas and me. I was very excited since I love dancing with Nicholas. But a bit wary. John’s partnering is beautiful and sculptural, but very demanding. Sometimes you’re in rehearsal trying different things out and you find you self saying things like, "So let me see if I understand this. I’m kneeling and I lift Nicholas over my head and just hold him there?" So you can see why I was nervous to have 6 hour rehearsals scheduled. But in the end the piece made it known quickly and I think it is beautiful. Even if I do say so myself.

I’m very excited for the premieres of AFTER DUST and WAYWARD GLANCES so everyone can see all the hard work we have done, what beautiful dancers I am blessed to share the stage with, and the exciting new work we have created.

Bradley Lundberg
Malashock Dance Company Dancer