Every little step

A Chorus Line opened on Brodway in 1975 and became a huge hit winning 9 Tony Awards and the 1976 Pullitzer Prize for Drama. A movie version of the show came out in 1985. I have only seen the movie and although reviews were not very good, as a former dancer I could relate to the characters.
The musical is the story of dancers and singers auditioning to be in a...musical. Michael Bennett, the creator and choreographer, spent one night talking (and recording) to friends about their respective experiences as artists trying to break through in the business. From these recordings lyrics and stories were pulled to write songs, Marvin Hamlich wrote the music,and a show was born. The audition process must have been very interesting since the cast was going to play people who audition for a show.
Every Little Step is a documentary about the revival of the musical in 2005. Again it is odd to look at dancers auditioning to play dancers who audition. The film gives you an incredible insight on the lives of artists and the struggle they go through to pursue their dream. The process can be long, painful and not for the faint of hearts. Just imagine interviewing for your current job every day. It is difficult for all artists I guess. Most of us with a "regular" job only go through this a few times in our lifetime. An artist has to get so many "no" before finally getting "yes".
All this put things in perspective for me. I often wonder "what if" I had followed a different path; "What if" my parents had supported me and pushed me; "What if" I had taken more chances?
I started to dance when I was 10 and for the following years thought that was my calling. I lived for rehearsals and loved being on stage. I had found something that brought me joy above everything else. Even though back then (and especially in the macho Caribbean environment) guys did not dance, or have earings or long hair, nothing could keep me away from Wednesday rehearsals. For 7 years, I stuck with it (the longest involvement in any activity for me at the time). I realize now that although I did work hard and practice a lot, opportunities came easily. Guadeloupe is a small island, and once you have done one thing people noticed, others ask you to participate in other events. Besides the annual big show we also performed at small events all over the island. On the side I did some commercials, fashion shows, music videos....I never ask for anything; those fall in my laps. So when I moved to Paris, I really thought it would be the same. Well I had a big wake up call. Where back home I was one of only a few, here I was merely one more fish in the ocean. I took dance lessons and went to auditions for a while but I quickly wondered if that was the life I wanted. Dad was paying my rent and my lessons and it was the endless "being a dancer is not a job" argument. I started to work and the more I worked the less I danced. Dancing is not something that you do on your spare time if you want to be if not the best at least among the best. It takes hours of daily practice and more time to go to auditions. After a while something had to give. I chose the easier route and kept on working, becoming financially independant and changing my life altogether by moving to the U.S. in 1991. It has not always been easy but I know that my path has been lined up with opportunities and people that brought me to where I am today. I had always dreamed of coming to the States and I love my life here, but I can't help but wonder sometimes on which stage and with which company I would be dancing if I had made different choices.