For some reason or another, I’ve often been tasked to lead the prayer for PBT productions) So here comes opening night , I was walking towards the stage for Green Room and i was faced with the possibility of having to pray . On a normal day I would not have minded , Im a fairly confident person . But this time I had pre-greenroom-prayer leader jitters. Though I did have a bit of pre-show jitters , the thought of praying for opening night’s performance overwhelmed me more. I was silent, fidgety and clammy , all because Ms. Maniya Barredo whom I have idolized all my life was going to be there and I didn’t want to look like a total idiot. As fate would have it Ms. Maniya led us in prayer for each show that we did. Saved I was .
I will remember the prayers , the greenroom pep talks on that stage forever. I am certain that the words said were the words that needed to be said . However thankful I was of having been saved of possible humiliation , i do have a little ounce of regret in my heart. I would never have the chance to show her how grateful we are for the blessing that is Ms. Maniya Barredo. To share with my friends and family had I been given a chance my prayer would have been something like this. ......
Dear Lord,
Tonight as we again join hands as a family, we thank you for the blessings you have trusted us with .
We thank you for gifting us with yet another beautiful ballet to perform .But more importantly we thank you for the journey that led us to today .
We thank you for the new friendships that you have blessed us with. Our new friends have given us nothing but good memories of laughter and joy .
We thank you most especially for sending or rather lending us Ms. Maniya Barredo who was an angel to the company . She has lifted us up in so many ways that we feel empowered and ready to be worthy to be called dancers. She was there for us as a mother who nurtured us emotionally with her kindness and love. She was there for us as a teacher who firmly but graciously taught us what it means to be a real artist . She was there for us as a leader who kept us strong despite the challenges that went our way . Most especially she was there to show us what we should aspire to become, a prima ballerina who inspires with her humility and generosity as an artist. As she has often shared with us . . . . everyone has a role to play. Dear lord thank you for allowing her to play her role perfectly .
For the complete experience that has changed us all we thank you. Our gratitude will fuel our bodies with the energy and the passion to make our show our prayer of thanksgiving to you oh lord who has given us so much .
We offer up our performances for the glory of your name. And as we dance our hearts out may we give life to the rich story of love and touch the audience as you graciousness and blessings have touched us.
Amen
Clearly , the journey to RNJ was worth all the time, blisters, exhaustion we all endured. It was PBT reborn. True, technique improvement hardly come quickly but surely PBT showed itself reborn in spirit. Even the most delinquent of dancers shaped up in fear that they would disappoint not just Ms. Maniya but the company and themselves . Same company , new outlook.
I don’t think words can encapsulate how rich our experience was this production but I trust that the audience felt it . The dancers had four shows , four of which with standing ovations , a trademark for all Maniya Barredo performances . I can only hope that this is just the beginning.I close by quoting Ms. Maniya " Its time to soar "
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