To Top It All Off, Part 2

In this interview, Lauren (13 years old), tells her story of how a wardrobe malfunction threatened to derail our group jazz routine during a live competition! If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, it definitely helps set the stage (pun intended).

As the routine started, did you get any indication that something was “off” somehow? 

Not one bit. I was actually feeling really good!

Can you describe exactly what happened, and what was going through your mind? 

I was in the middle of a turn sequence and just felt my top fall down! I immediately felt my stomach drop because I knew it had come undone.

How did you react, and what did you do to fix it? 

At first, I tried to clip it again on stage but within a few seconds I knew I couldn’t do it. I had to make the fast decision to run off stage, and luckily another teammate was there and she was able to quickly help me fasten my top!

Tell us how you mentally prepared to go back on stage. 

My top was fixed pretty quickly but I could not just run back on stage in the middle of a sequence.  So I waited until my team was transitioning into their big lift, and I used that moment to run back on stage right into my solo part. 

What were you thinking as the routine ended? 

I had so many thoughts! First I was happy my top did not come undone again. I also felt relieved that the rest of the number went smoothly.  But I was also upset and felt I let my team down because I don’t ever want to do that!

How did your teammates react? 

Some of them never even noticed I was gone, lol! After the number, I was telling them all how sorry I was and they were all very supportive and told me it was ok! 

Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would do differently (with your costume, your reaction, etc.)?  

I would definitely make sure I double check my costume clips and snaps especially, when changing quickly! I probably would react the same. I tried to fix it and couldn’t, so i had to make a quick decision and I couldn’t continue dancing with it the way it was.

Is there anything that you’ve learned from the experience? 

Definitely to double and triple check my costumes! 

What advice would you give to another dancer that experiences a wardrobe malfunction during a performance? 

To stay calm and don’t panic. Keep your faces on! If you can keep dancing, then don’t stop. But if it was something like what happened to me, try to fix it as fast as possible and get back out there and finish strong!

As a fun postscript to this story, the team won a special judges’ award (the Unstoppable Award) for Lauren’s perseverance and determination!  While it is something that no dancer wants to experience firsthand, it is a good idea to prepare for something like this.  After all, it can happen to anyone who dares to take the stage!

Thanks so much to Lauren for bravely sharing her story!

Work hard, have fun! – Danielle

Has your dancer ever had an onstage mishap? Share your story below!

Is your dancer thinking about taking a break? Read Gabby’s story (The Gift of Gabby, Part 1) about returning to dance after some time off.