Standby, ready, Light cue go!: Ballet San Jose principal dancer, Alexsandra Meijer, calls the Summer Intensive Show.

Although it may seem intimidating, it is all about the process. And at the end of it all, “Houselights restored” means that we have survived! Job well done principal ballerina, Alexsandra Meijer.

"Standby two minutes to curtain," "Places dancers," "House lights
to half," "Light cue 0.7 go."

These were just some of the lines on the four page cue sheet of the stage
manager at the top of the show during the 2015 Summer Intensive Showcase on
July 31. Over the headset, Alexsandra Meijer, Silicon Valley Ballet
Principal Dancer and newly minted stage manager, called these cues to her
fellow stagehands. Since she joined Silicon Valley Ballet in 2001, Meijer
has been fascinated by the person who “calls the show” from behind the
scenes, and last Friday she had the opportunity to experience the job
firsthand.

Meijer did extensive research in preparation for this event. She talked
about combing stage manager's blogs and tips, as well as searching “how to
call a show” on Youtube, and being somewhat taken aback after watching a
clip of someone calling the Broadway show, Hairspray. Seeing multiple
characters, lights and the ensuing commotion was a bit intimidating.
Alexsandra called it, “SUPER intense” because the video featured, “many
complex lighting cues, with spots and specials fading in and out in many
different areas of the stage.” Luckily, her debut was not quite as
complicated! Still, calling the full run of the Summer Intensive Showcase,
which featured over 140 students in almost two hours of dancing, was a
challenge. Ms. Meijer met it well, and our staff, faculty, and students are
thankful for her efforts.