Cultural Day

I've started training a batch for our new mortgage program, the company's first foray into the financial services industry. (Who would have thought that I'd be back working with financial stuff again??) Some of it is fun (training for a new program instead of the repetition of shooting out tech support batches), but some of it is frustrating (dealing with people who don't know the system and having to develop curriculum at the same time as teaching). The batch has been pretty receptive, however, to trying different things. They have a lot of pressure on them, being the pilot batch for the program, but generally they seem to be coping well.

I was proud of them: when auditions for our company's annual cultural show were announced, they managed to get together enough people for two entries into the show-one vocal performance and one fashion show-all in about two days. Luckily for me, the vocal group managed to get their performance together without asking for my help. I only required that they pick an English song, since they were in accent training. They chose "As Long as You Love Me" by the Backstreet Boys (appropriate since there were 5 guys in the group!) The fashion show, however, was a different story! When I asked them (3 guys and 3 girls) what they were going to do they all looked at me blankly. Somehow I managed to choreograph a few moves for them. (Luckily, I remember watching various fashion shows at the Basant Festivals, sponsored by the Indian organization at RIT!) I was a bit nervous because some of them seemed to have trouble remembering the routine.

The show was actually very good-although a bit too long! Liz and I got there early in the morning so that I could practice with my group a bit before it started. We did a run-through, practiced walking a bit, but weren't able to practice with the music that they had selected. ("One Love") Throughout the day, Liz and I were able to see people from the various programs that we had worked with showcasing their talents, which was great! My singers went on right after lunch. They surprised me by dedicating the song to me-and I was extremely touched by that. Unfortunately, the fashion show was one of the last events. Due to time constraints with the stage, they cut the fashion shows' allowed time in half. This turned out to be a benefit to my group. They all managed to remember their cues (for the most part) during the first few positions or at least cover it up when they forgot. And it did look pretty good (if I do say so myself). Again, luckily for me, they didn't get to the part where they had wanted me to come up on the stage (like the designers or hosts of the shows have to). :)