Editor’s note: Jack Pearsall is an Introduction to Journalism student at Reynolds. His class participated in a 40-minute press conference with members of the Charlotte Ballet on Wednesday in advance of Thursday’s school-wide performance. This is his story:

By Jack Pearsall, Special to Pine Whispers

There is a lot of preparation and hard work that goes into being a dancer in Company II of the Charlotte Ballet.

Company II members have been dancing for a long time. Member Courtney Holland took all kinds of dance as a child after her parents enrolled her in a class because, she said with a smile, of all the damage she was causing hopping around in her house.

“When I was young I did jazz and modern,” Holland said. “I don’t know if I was good at it, but at least I was exposed to it.”

Company member Forrest Oliveros had to make a huge sacrifice by leaving his high school in Tennessee and moving to Charlotte to participate in the apprenticeship offer he got with the Charlotte Ballet. The 18-year-old graduated early and is now working on college prerequisite classes online.

“It’s a sacrifice, but if it’s something you really want, then it’s not a problem giving your whole self to it,” Oliveros said.

The dancers take classes every morning and rehearse all afternoon, at least six hours a day. They get paid for 30 hours a week, but also spend plenty of their own time working out. Even with all the hours they put in, this doesn’t mean every performance goes according to plan.

“It’s like live theater,” Holland said. “There’s no take 2, take 3. You just hope you do your personal best on the stage. Sometimes it’s really frustrating or disappointing.”

Company member Josiah Savage agreed, pointing out that it also can be challenging to do your best when doing two shows a day, such as when the company performs “The Nutcracker.”

Even the dancers’ diets are also affected by their work and different needs.

“You have to eat like a monster truck,” said Savage, explaining that the men have to be able to build their muscle to lift their partners. The women have to be much more careful about their diet, eating only what they absolutely need. Holland said she tries to be full the night before but “not too carb-y,” and has lean meats, vegetables and protein on show days “so you’re ready to go.”

As for putting on a Wednesday night show and Thursday schoolwide performance at an Arts Magnet high school, the dancers were enthusiastic.

“I get pretty excited because it gives a chance to maybe inspire those kids,” Holland said. “It tells us maybe this art isn’t dying, there’s other generations that might still be interested in becoming professional dancers like us.”