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Can you imagine rehearsing at 5:30AM in the hallways of the hotel because it’s too early to get into the convention center? That’s how we started the day off. The team was sleepy and groggy -- I was sleepy and groggy, but we pulled things off and got things moving.
Even the models – our guests – started early today. We “staged” the Model Prep room so that the guests started in different areas – makeup, design, wardrobe – and were always moving. So even at 8AM, it felt like noon.
In this morning’s huddle we talked about the ripple effect, how there’s always a ripple after you splash. Today we threw our rock into the pond; tomorrow we’ll ride that wave through the biggest day of the show.
The coolest things about being here is the walk down the hall for the first day of the first show. Even after six years, it still feels like new. In fact, it’s electric. You grow, you become more polished, but the feeling should never go away. When it does, it’s time to move on. And you know what? I still get that feeling every year. I still got it. And I’ve learned to cherish these opportunities.
When I start working, I’m calm as can be. When I’m not on stage, my hands start to shake and I can’t stand still. Onstage, I don’t want to let folks down; I want to teach them and I’m hoping that they’re learning what they came for. I want to keep doing this for as long as I’m able.
Saturday is a low activity, low attendance day, but people were spending time with us. Our shows were packed. I love it. It’s just great.
After the shows, we’ll debrief. We’ll identify our successes and that becomes our expectations for tomorrow. An example of today’s successes: 1) Our timing: happening. 2) Our presentation: excellent. We’ll also review our “do it betters.” That doesn’t mean things have been done incorrectly or badly, just that we need to find a way overnight to do the job, well, better. For example, sometimes a microphone cuts out, so we need to come up with cue and be prepared so it doesn’t affect the audience or the team.
The emotions at our end-of-day huddle will be like a roller coaster. This morning, the anticipation was like a big, slow, uphill climb. At the first show, you’re beginning to see over the top of the hill. And when you step on stage….wow…down you go on the rush of your life. Tonight some of the team will be tired, and some will still be on that rush.
I’ll be doing some tuckin’ in tonight…making the rounds to “tuck” each artist in, find out how their day went, what I can do to make things better. And if they’re at the bar, they better watch out. With a 4:30 AM call time, I’m sending them to bed!
Tomorrow we’ll talk more about the ripple effect. Have a great night.
- Shannon King