Kennedy Center. It’s incredible that the mention of the two simple words may bring up images of unbelievable grandeur and prestige, vast stages and balcony after balcony of plush red velvet-lined seats. Over the past weekend, I had the opportunity to spend four days in Washington, D.C. with the Pennsylvania Ballet on tour and perform George Balanchine’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” based on Shakespeare’s famous work of the same name at the beautiful Kennedy Center.

    The cast performing “Midsummer” included two dozen students from the School of Pennsylvania Ballet. Following an audition in front of the Balanchine repetiteur, I was fortunate enough to be one of the students chosen to learn and perform the choreography.

    We left early in the morning on Thursday by coach bus — one for the professional company and one for the students and chaperones. Luckily, we didn’t run into much traffic and arrived about three hours later at the world-renowned John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where some of the world’s most awe-inspiring concerts, productions, and performances are held. A piano rehearsal was scheduled that very day onstage. When I first stepped onto that beautiful expanse of stage and looked out, I was met with a staggeringly breathtaking view. The audience space was positively enormous, and all a rich shade of red. Hovering over the seats were glittering chandeliers, and at the center of the ceiling hung the largest one of all, sparkling in all its magnificence, reflecting the quality of the opera house it was positioned in. I simply couldn’t believe I was going to be dancing here for nearly 2,500 people to see, alongside the talented dancers of the Pennsylvania Ballet that we students idolized so much.

    Every day, we warmed up in a large studio near the dressing rooms. Then, we either went to rehearsal or performed. The day after we arrived in D.C., we got to rehearse the ballet with the Kennedy Center’s very own orchestra and opera. Listening to Mendehlsson’s silvery score performed by such a huge and talented orchestra gave me chills. The dressing rooms were like nothing I’d experienced before — room after room of mirrors and bright lights, all linked to their own bathrooms, complete with costume mistresses to take care of us and our unique costumes. After our first performance, we were met with a sparkling review from the Washington Post. It was so exciting — everything was so surreal!

    Performing at the Kennedy Center was an opportunity I never imagined I’d be so lucky to have, much less while I am still so young. The images of every dressing room, studio, and staircase I’d passed through during my time there will be forever imprinted in my mind. As for the stage? It goes without saying that it was the most magical experience of my life. I’ll never forget the deafening applause of 2,350 people on their feet.