Reno-Lauryn
I chose this picture for the cover shot because on that day waiting outside during our renovation runs to ‘the depot’, it reminded me of my brother’s business Crown Construction. Jeff has taught us skills, shared tools and his contributions are paramount to the aesthetic of the studio and our confidence to embark on this project alone. On this day the sky was big, bright and we were here to assemble supplies, tear down walls and open spaces inside our building which hid for a century.
25 weeks ago, we were all told to stay home. We turned off the lights at our special and most favourite place. As September nears, we anticipate the rediscovery of our relationships with our students and the opportunities for exploring simple and strong movements together.
Turning off the systems integral to our business was, as our favourite words describing exercises in the studio are, simple not easy—like turning off the light and remembering where the switch was in the dark. The other night I turned on a bank of lights in the studio and commented on the novel task. Not to be critical, but the LED pot lights in our ballet studio even when dimmed, can’t compete with my preferred milky white, art-deco fixtures that hang like clouds overhead. Vibes, viewpoints and comments heard in our studio—“Makes it feel like I’m in New York”; “This space is relaxing”; “Look at all the windows”; “Naked man, don't look”. Honest. Don't look!
Today, the lights are off and the circuit is playing hard to find.
“On. On!” I'm calling to the electrician downstairs. Frank operates delicately at first and then trips breakers like strategic battleship commands from below deck.
“Off!” said Lauryn with Bingo-like excitement.
“That’s it. Panel B. Circuit 7. It’s off—I’m coming up.” Our power is off and now we can get started.
Until week twenty-two, Lauryn and I had just talked about making renovations to our studio. We wanted to execute our architect-stamped design and why not just do it? After months of preparing and then months of waiting, we applied for a building permit online and it was approved in record time.
Not to rush. Before the walls come down we needed to prep. After a visit to the basement for supplies, and a quick bike ride to the hardware store for drop sheets, we had only spent $25 and were about to have a wrecking ball of a good time.
“I’m about to leave, you can start. It won't bother me,” a tenant poked his head through the hanging plastic sheets that isolated most of the dust, but none of the noise. Lauryn asked, “Are you sure?” for pleasantries. Tim confirmed with a knock of his knuckles on the wall and Lauryn started to swing. After a series of emotive but inefficient swings, Lauryn relinquished the sledge, picked up the crowbar and hammer, and continued our cathartic and constructive ‘day off’ at the studio.
Today, Panel B Circuit 7 is off. The walls are out and we look forward to finishing our small renovation and turning all our lights on soon. I won't even care if the clouds deco-ating my ceiling open up and pour LED on us at our evening sessions. We look forward to the new views and opportunities for movement in our renovated studio space, as we continue to present and share our simple and strong movements online and in studio.
