"So what do you know about these guys, mom?" I asked as we rode in the car to the studio.
"Not much, except that they are a well respected performance art troupe from Vienna."
Performance art seemed like a bit of a letdown to me, having trained most of my life to be a dancer and gymnast like my mother.
"Dannika Genere dances for them I believe."
"Really? Why didn't you say that! She is wonderful. Is she still with them?"
"Dannika contacted your dance teacher looking for talented students to audition. I'm not sure if she still dances, she is near my age."
"But you still dance, mom. That would be so amazing to work with her. How come I haven't heard of this troupe before."
"They are very secretive. They play for small, very exclusive venues, I think. I think it's only by invitation to see their performances and then it's thousands of dollars a ticket."
I suddenly felt very nervous. I didn't realize how big this audition was. My pulse quickened and my hands grew fidgety.
My mom noticed how quiet I became. "Don't worry, Lisa, honey, you will be fine. I didn't want you to get nervous before this. You are an excellent dancer. They would be lucky to have you."
I thought back to my dance classes and recitals, how younger kids kept coming in as I matured. My friends were getting roles with big dance companies. Now in my twenties, my body was turning into a woman's body. I had been told several times that I was "too developed" and "too buxom" for various roles. My body was practically as filled out as my mom's. Maybe this performance art would be my big chance.
As we walked up on stage a tall woman padded across the stage and hugged mom. I immediately recognized Dannika.
"And this must be Lisa! Lovely! She certainly takes after her mother!"
I flushed a little as Dannika hugged me. Dannika was wearing a tight white thong and a very sheer, form fitting half shirt, practically panty hose over her chest. Dannika's olive skin and tight abs were completely exposed and you could see her nipples through the sheer top.
"Lisa, dear, we are working on a new number so I'd like you to audition by working along with us. Is that alright with you?"
"O-of course, anything. Thank you!" I stammered. I was so excited. This could be my big break. I looked around the brightly lit stage. Three dancers stood off to one side, looking at me. The woman was dressed the same as Dannika, the men seemed to be wearing equally sheer shorts.
I looked out into the audience seating but it was dark, I could make out a few figures. Danika whisked me away to the changing room.
"Here is your outfit. I think the top may be a bit tight, we weren't sure of your size. I hope it fits."
Dannika handed me a plastic package with an outfit like Dannika had. The top certainly seemed to be made out of panty hose material.
"When you are changed go back there to Dieter's office, he is the artistic director, he'd like to speak with you first. I am so happy you are here. You mother and I are good friends!"
Before I could reply Dannika turned and left. There were two men in the room, changing, apparently oblivious to my presence. I flushed a little, not used to changing in a room with men, but I steeled my courage and changed facing the wall. "I'm a professional, I have to act like one."
I quickly put on the thong and pulled over the shirt. It was rather tight, stretching out across my chest. I looked down and my pink nipples were clearly poking out. I felt my face starting to burn. I looked across the changing room but the two men had left. I checked to see if my hair was tightly pinned and walked off towards the door Dannika had indicated was the director's office. As I walked I was aware how little support my top afforded me. Fortunately I am rather perky, if well endowed, so it wasn't uncomfortable.
I walked into the room and a tall man was looking at a board of drawings. He glanced at me and looked back at the board.
"Ah yes, new girl, please assume the tree pose."
"Yes, sir." I replied, raising my arms and standing on one leg. I forgot my modesty at the man's authoritarian tone.
I stood there for what seemed like a few minutes while the man studied the board. I thought this must be a test of her balance. This I excelled at, I did not move a muscle.
Dieter glanced back on the way to his desk to retrieve a paper.
"Now a backbend."
I smoothly went into a backbend. I felt more than a little exposed. I'm sure my tight thin thong left little to the imagination but maintained my composure and was perfectly still. After at least a minute I felt the strain in my muscles and the blood rushing to my head.
I was surprised to hear the man's voice so close. "Now stand up straight."
I stood up and tried to keep my eyes forward, looking out the window, but caught a glance at Dieter, tall and thin, leaning against the desk with his arms crossed right in front of me. I felt his eyes looking over me.
"Now jumping jacks, go."
I was taken aback for a split second, not a typical professional dance move, but then this was performance art.
"Slower." Dieter commanded, it seemed he led me to the speed where my breasts bounced the most. I felt the shirt creeping up and flushed at the thought of being exposed.
"Stop. Why are you so red, girl?"
"I'm sorry, I'm... I'm not used to this kind of... dance."
Dieter sighed and turned back to the wall in a huff.
"Why? I ask them to bring me dancers and they bring giggling school girls. I cannot work with this."
I felt my heart drop as I waited for him to continue.
"I... I would be excellent for your group, sir. I have excellent balance and flexibility." I brought my leg up slowly, over my head and pulled it close to me, remaining still as a post.
"Attitude. I need attitude! The planet is crawling with ballerinas. I need someone who can give their body over as a vehicle for expression of the artist!"
We stood there in silence.
Dieter continued to look at the board. "Ach, we are shorthanded today, at least I could use your technical skill. Perhaps if you can develop some professionalism in the next few hours, by some miracle, I will consider keeping you around for a bit. No go!"
My mind was racing as I quickly left the office.
"Professionalism." I repeated to herself as I came to the edge of the stage and stopped in shock as my mother approached me, her hair in a tight bun like mine and wearing the same sheer costume I was!
Mother approached me sheepishly. "Hi dear, I'm sorry, Dannika said they were short handed and asked if I could help out. You don't mind, do you? They said they'd have to cancel without my help."
I opened her mouth to talk and tried to look only at mom's face, but I had seen mom's body exposed in this "artistic" outfit. My mother was still in amazing shape, and looked a little like me except her breasts were larger and her hips a little wider. My hands went up to cover my chest but the word "professionalism" echoed in my head and I stopped.
"Of course not." I said. I wanted to add "mom", but I didn't want to embarrass mom in front of the other dancers. She was transformed to this erotic woman, a fellow dancer.
"Thank you, this is your day. I know you will do well, think of me as just another dancer." I thought my mom looked a little like one of my classmates as she bounced on the balls of her feet.
"Warm Ups, let's go." Dieter's voice echoed from the edge of the stage. I tried to put the thought of mom, half naked there with me on this bright stage and stole glances as she stretched.
There were a lot of male dancers here. The male dancers were in impeccable shape. I could clearly see their privates in what they wore, sort of mens briefs but made out the same material like my top. Half the men were dark skinned, a whole range of skin tones. I fought back the flush on my face, thinking of Dieter's words, thinking I couldn't blow this big chance.
Other than my mother and Dannika there was only one other woman there. I was easily the youngest one there.
Dannika led the group through a sort of tribal dancing. It was quite strenuous and I could feel my skin getting slick with sweat under the hot lights, the music loud and throbbing. I could see Danika's thong became a bit transparent from the sweat. I could see the outline of her trimmed pubic hair against her tight thong, pulling between her labia. I'm glad I kept myself trimmed. I saw my mom did too. The men seemed all shaved. I felt a stirring between my legs. I had to keep this professional.