The College Perspective by Lindsey

Brock didn’t even hesitate when asked to choreograph a dance routine for a class he wasn’t in. It was his freshman year of college and he never had a hard time making friends. He is the kind of guy you would see approaching other random people on the street to ask them their name and if they wanted to join him wherever he happened to be going.

He’s dynamic, always talking with his hands, a smile on his face. There haven’t been many people who don’t instantly take a liking to Brock. And now he was going to choreograph a dance for me.

My final for the Intro to Dance class I was taking that semester required me to make up a two minute dance that would have to be performed in front of the whole class. Me being me, I was terrified and turned to the one person I knew who loved to be in the spotlight: Brock Bourek.

For a month we practiced for hours on end, it was a two person dance, Brock of course had to be involved in it beyond more than the choreography. He had been in dance classes since he was very young. I had taken six years of dance myself but nothing compared to the way Brock perfected every move, thinking of the bigger picture until it was how he wanted it.

And then came the first performance day. It was informal, in front of the class and Brock showed up late, as is typical since he loves to be involved in just about every activity one can physically do. I was nervous, he was perfectly calm. But the performance went off without a hitch. Everyone complimented us and I thought it was all over. But my professor had other ideas.

Soon after that day, she contacted Brock and I and asked if we would perform in the fall dance show they hold every year that showcases her other class’ work as well as some local young dance troupes. Since I knew Brock would be overjoyed to perform his masterpiece, I agreed.

For another two weeks we practiced, trying to get the performance even more perfect, this time there would be actual adults there: a true audience. We even performed in front of some friends to try and relieve some of the anxiety.

Fast forward to performance day. Brock shows up only two songs before our turn. We haven’t had any time to rehearse and I’m sitting by myself hyperventilating over having to get up in front of the crowd. Brock makes me find a chair for our performance, trying to distract me.

We get on the stage. There’s a pause that seems like seven years have gone by. Then the music starts and I feel it all coming down to this one second where I have to move or the whole piece is ruined.

Luckily, I moved and the performance went pretty well, only one mistake that the audience didn’t even catch. I survived and Brock thrived in all the attention given by the crowd afterwards.

The one thing I learned about Brock that day was that he’s the kind of friend that will always be there to support you, no matter how busy he is. Even though he can at times seem self-interested as a theater major and will almost never respond to texts anyone sends him on the same day, he will give you his all. That is the kind of person you want on your side.