Karis Pendleton

This weekend I had the honor of performing in Cinderella produced by Open World Dance Foundation and presented by Misty Copeland!!!!!!!

On thursday my dad came up to NY and then that night we drove to CT for dress rehearsal and performance on Friday. I’m SO grateful that my dad was able to make it in the midst of my mom and lil brother not being able to come. My dad and I have never taken a daddy/ daughter trip before, so I was super excited!!!!! We really had great bonding time!! We played around, had some rly meaningful convos and just rly enjoyed spending time together. Words can’t express how much it meant to me that he was able to be there!!! 💖 🙌🏾 🎉

On Friday, I had dress rehearsal and it went pretty well. Isabella Boylston played Cinderella and Aran Bell played the Prince they are both principal dancers for American Ballet Theatre (ABT). It was so inspiring to watch them work during rehearsal. Mr. Bell’s turns were so clean and precise and his landings from his jumps were so quiet! I loved watching Mrs. Boylston turn! Her spot is so CLEAN and I loved seeing the muscles in her back! 🥹🙌🏾💜. One of my favorite moments yesterday was getting to take pictures with both Isabella Boylston and Aran Bell. I also had the privilege of talking to Mrs. Boylston and she told me I was a beautiful dancer!!! Oh and I got to be on stage at the same they were! 🥲😍

Another rly BIG thing that happened yesterday was…

I had the HONOR of meeting MISTY COPELAND!!!!!!! 😭❤️😭. She came back to the dressing rooms before the show. My friend and I literally looked at her froze, then we looked at each other and just started smiling!!!! Mrs. Copeland looked me in the eyes and said ” HI!! It’s so nice to meet you I’m so glad you’re here!” I said ” Hi! Its so nice to meet you!”. Most of the cast took a group picture with Mrs. Copeland and I literally got to stand right next to her! Ahhhh, I was SO excitedddd. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get a one on one picture with her because by the time I had worked up the courage to ask her for a picture ( Almost 2 min after I saw her) pretty much everyone knew she was in the dressing room area and started swarming her. It was crazy!! I’m so honored I got to be in the same room as her and at least meet her. I pray and believe that this will not be the last time I’ll meet her. Prayerfully I’ll get to get a pic with just her and I next time!!! 🥰 🥲 🙌🏾 🎉 🙏🏾 💜 🩰

In the end the show was very successful and everyone did an outstanding job!!!!! I’m so thankful for this opportunity. After the show I met up with my dad and my Aunt Donna and her friend Ms. Amy!!! 💖🎉 Aunt Donna and Ms. Amy traveled far to see me perform!!!!! It was such a blessing to have Aunt Donna and Ms. Amy there! I loved getting to see them. I’m so thankful that they came to see me perform!!! It truly meant and means a lot to me!!!! I’m also so happy my daddy was able to be there!!! 💞🥳

This has truly been one of the best weekends ever!!!