“Cinderella” was the fall musical of 2007 at Benilde-St. Margaret’s. Starring as Cinderella was our very own BSM alum and current teacher, Ms. Kaia Preus. This year, 2018, coincidentally the spring musical is also “Cinderella.” I was lucky enough to be casted as Cinderella this year, and I looked to Ms. Preus to give me advice on how to be the best Cinderella I can be!

I am really trying to center my inner Cindy. Spending full days at home doing hard labor and then night after night cleaning my glass slippers. I was fortunate enough to sit down with THE Cinderella of BSM herself, and she told me how to do these things just right.

“Windex and a little bit of spit will leave your glass slippers spotless,” Preus said.

Ms. Preus then said something that really stuck with me: “If you are having a panic attack about all your chores, Madame is being abusive, or the prince is being complicated….don’t freak out. Just go and sit in your own little corner!”

Ever since then, my days have been less challenging and I have began to destress sitting in my little chair!

The other day, I ran across the problem of my step sister’s smelling bad, especially their feet and actually Ms. Preus experienced the same thing.

“Drop essential oils on Charlotte’s toes while she is asleep. I promise you, it will be the best decision you can make,” and she also said, “Febreeze everything!!”

Other advice that she told me was:

• Madame likes all of the orange M&Ms and Skittles thrown out of the bag.
• Practice as much as you can for the Waltz with the prince, because only 10 minutes into being at the ball he will ask you to dance. (I also learned that waltzing is not for the faint hearted, a lot of professional athletes and Olympians fall lat on their face. So I just took it step by step and finally became decent at it.)
• The Fairy Godmother turns a pumpkin into a carriage but don’t forget that she can turn anything into a carriage if you run out of pumpkins, gourds work too!
• I don’t know, but the raccoon and fox weren’t in the original Cinderella, so I don’t know if they are trustworthy….
• Seriously listen to the Fairy Godmother when she says you need to be home at midnight! If you aren’t the outside world will see you at your worst and you only want to be seen at your best!
• In Act II, Cinderella sings in 5 songs in a row. Remember, don’t sing at full voice every single time you run the show until opening. It is a lot of hard work that could leave you with a lost voice and you don’t want to be like Ariel, you want to be unique.
• Stay healthy, drink tea, and have confidence in yourself Cindy!!

Lastly, Ms. Preus gave me one more word of advice, “Falling head over heels for a prince is nice and everything, but don’t forget who the show is named after!”

Cinderella opens May 3 at 7pm and is open all weekend! I hope to see you all there!