It's not the Sugar Plum fairy but "Nutcracker" walk-on extra gets a taste for the stage

Still giddy from my magical night on stage, I shall nevertheless give you a faithful narrative of my wonderful experience as a walk-on extra for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's opening night of Nutcracker.

The night began with me hiding backstage and ambushing several RWB superstars for photo opportunities as they walked past...including Andre Lewis (artistic director), Tad Biernacki (music director and conductor) and of course, Filbert the Bear.

I must admit, I was nervous about my performance.  After getting ready in the dressing room and muttering several prayers to myself in Arabic and English, I headed downstairs as the voice over the intercom buzzed 'Five minutes till curtain'.

As I waited in the wings with the other dancers, I kept going over my stage directions again and again. What if I were to mess up?  The pressure was on, darling Scene readers. I couldn't let my fans down!

As I was gently shoved on stage, all the panic disappeared and I was swept away in the moment. It was celestial really. The music, the dancing -- there was magic in the air! Admittedly one dancer got tangled up in the Christmas tree decorations, BUT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ME. Ahem.

And before I knew it, my time on stage was finished! Just like that! But the experience was everything I had hoped it would be.

Not to toot my own horn (oh if you insist), Andre Lewis, the artistic director at the RWB provided some feedback after having watched my performance. He said that my "presence was brilliant", my "comportement was exquisite" and that he "loved how I walked on stage" Oh Andre! Go on!

But as you can imagine my loyal Scene readers, I was quite put out when dearest Andre --whom I now consider a kindred spirit -- said that my chances of being cast as the Sugar Plum Fairy next year were "Zero". Oh Andre! But do bear in mind that Andre has not yet witnessed my masterful plie nor my impressive arabesque and therefore I should not like to rule out the possibility.

I was heartened by Andre's parting words to me, for undoubtedly I have now become his muse and source of creative inspiration. He told me in that funny little accent of his, "Some extras come on to the party scene and are like zombies. A zombie you were not."

And there you are dearest Scene readers, the famous RWB artistic director said it himself: A zombie, I was not.

Happy Holidays one and all!