My first solo in white tights

I remember the first year Whitney and I invented the Double Hoop variation. It was the final performance of a 24 show run and Whitney was cast as the Candy Cane. She was always so nervous of the part that she asked me to do it for her. As her best friend, I couldn't see her suffer alone, so we decided to do it TOGETHER! We rehearsed early in the mornings before anyone came to work. The night if the show, i exited as Nutcracker, changed costumes just in time, and barreled on stage opposite Whit. And it couldn't have gone better. We nailed all out elements.  At one point, I remember she rolled her hoop to me while I threw mine to her. After catching them we went into synchronized fouetté turns. It was such a wonderful adrenaline rush. I'll never forget it. 

I also remember my first cavalier. It was a Tuesday evening, and it was the 17th performance of the run. The pas de deux with Trisha Sundbeck went flawlessly. I was confident and poised at the top of my solo. I couldn't believe it! My first solo in white tights - I felt like it was my time! I began the solo and completed the first few eights. I ran to the corner to begin the menège. Half-way through, I landed a tour-jete and for some reason, my leg refused to catch my weight. The next thing I knew I was doing a series of backward somersaults in white tights and a white tunic. My legs were so tired they couldn't hold me up! I got to my feet and finished in sous-sous, walked downstage and finished the pirouettes with ease. It was so peculiar. Some people thought it was actually choreographed! I think Carinne missed that performance!

Charlie Hodges