Hello friends!
This week my wife and Atticus are at the CLI Conservatory in Southampton, Massachusetts for his second week-long dance intensive. As a refresher, we welcome you to read more about the origins/history of CLI, and/or listen to episode #7 of our podcast to hear about our first experience.
Sadly I couldn’t join them this time, so I’m hearing the CLI report second-hand. I also really wanted to have Atti on to tell you about it himself — but he’s been so wiped out that he’s asleep within 30 minutes of getting back to the hotel, and talking in his sleep, which only happens when he’s completely toast. So today it’s just me, a few tips, and one very avoidable wardrobe crisis.
🎬 A quick refresher on why we love CLI
Last December was Atticus’s first intensive, and he ate it up — mock auditions, a ton of dancing, and filming an actual music video
The music video from last year was a revelation for him: reset to position one, shoot it again, sweep up the confetti, repeat, from roughly 14 bajillion angles
CLI works on the career side too — resumes, social media presence, networking, interviewing well — not just raw dance chops
🏨 Changing hotels came with huge benefits
Last year we stayed at the CLI partner hotel, about 25 minutes away. It’s fine…until you’re driving it at the butt crack of early and again at 9pm with an exhausted kid
This year we took a chance on D. Hotel Suites & Spa — roughly 10–12 minutes out — and my wife reports nicer rooms, a comfier bed, and a 90-minute massage that was so good she fell asleep during it
Quieter, too. Fewer kids sprinting down the hallway at full volume, and more shops and walkable spots nearby
🍽️ Do the meal plan
Our other goal this year was to buy and bring our own food instead of eating out constantly. That one did not happen
But Atticus has been on CLI’s optional paid meal plan, and we’d recommend it — otherwise you’re driving back midday for lunch and again that night for pickup
👕 “I got this, Mom”
CLI scheduled a photo shoot with a specific color palette everyone was supposed to pack for
Before he left our house, Atticus assured my wife he had everything — pink pants, the right top, all set, don’t worry
This morning she dropped him off at CLI, went back to the hotel, and discovered he had, in fact, not got this. Cue an emergency mall run by #1 mom
🎓 Why I’m home this week
I’m holding down the fort in the Twin Cities because my oldest, Cam, graduates from paramedic school
Speaking of confetti: I’ve ordered mini hand cannons for the occasion — the kind with streamers that stay attached so I can reel them back in and not leave a mess for the custodial staff. He doesn’t know about this surprise. Don’t tell him ok?
I’m hoping to do a follow-up episode next week with Atti so you can hear it firsthand (assuming he can stay awake long enough to record LOL!).
As always, head to dadofadancer.com to comment on any post or email me directly — and make some friends in the comments section while you’re there. You can also find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. A subscribe helps the algorithm, or the smashing of the like button, or whatever the cool thing is that the kids are doing these days.
