Students worked really hard all day to prepare for the show, we were lucky enough to be able to rehearse in the big top where we performed so we could get used to the space. lights and music. Mostly we were rehearsing what we had prepared yesterday but we added a few extra sections. Our 3 very flexible girls got a master class in some more difficult human structures and rehearsed with a separate teacher for some of the morning. After lunch we had one last rehearsal in our Khmer trousers then it was waiting backstage for the audience to fill in. The students were so pleased with their efforts and felt elated and proud after the show.
After dinner we got to see one more show to end the week off. There was some amazing flips and juggling and everyone enjoyed it and despite having worked hard all day, they had plenty of energy for cheering and clapping along. As with the first show we saw, we got to meet the artists at the end and say our last goodbyes.
It was such a privilege to be able to train side by side with these talented young artists. We got an appreciation of the hard work and dedication it takes to get to the level they are at. It was good to see them in training and see them, even at their level fail and try again and again until they perfected whatever they were working on. Some very clear and important lessons were learnt this week about motivation and perseverance. Not only that, but just to know these people and be familiar with them made seeing their shows even more special.
The students were sad to leave the Phare campus tonight and were wishing we could stay longer which is a great sign. I asked them if they would recommend this trip to their friends and they said they definitely would. It's been a very busy and active week (us teachers named it boot camp week as it put our levels of fitness to the test!!!) but also a week of learning and giving back.
