Whether I am warming up by myself

Or auditioning in front of my teachers to prove myself

The sense that I feel as I dance is inspiration. 

At the barre, I practice countless plies, tendus, and frappes

In the center floor, I repeat the glissade-assemble-glissade-jetes

A combination that incites my motivation.  

A motivation that has led me to push for my dream role

A part where I can lose control 

I can fall into the character and live the role of royalty she portrays. 

Before I enter my final auditions for the Nutcracker

I dream, 

I dream of all of the former dancers who performed the role of Sugarplum so gracefully

I dream of my fourteen years of intense training that have led me to this point

I dream of the countless pairs of pointe shoes that have supported my feet in preparation for this one hour of pure adrenaline. 

And whether I receive the role or not, 

I could not dream of not dancing.