Drama busy-ness

Obviously, with a drama teacher in the house, we are often busy with theatre stuff. Or Colin is, mostly. But it's extended to 3/4 of our household now.

My show, "Allo, Allo" is getting into serious rehearsals now, with only 4 weeks until opening night. I actually have been very frustrated lately with cast members who don't show up for rehearsals. It was a pretty big sacrifice for our family for me to do this show. Colin had to completely rearrange his schedule and will be taking time off work (at the restaurant) during the run of this show. I told Colin before I even auditioned that he had to be able to do that, or I wouldn't do the show. When I commit to a show, I commit 100%. And in order for me to do that, I need him to back me. And he did. And does. Others, in the cast, clearly do not have that same commitment and it drives me batty. And don't make a bunch of excuses! These people *know* what it takes to put on a show. They *know* it takes a LOT of time. If school (some of the cast are in high school), or jobs are going to get in the way, then DON'T commit to a show! Surely, they knew their work and school commitments. Ugh.

On the bright side, I know all my lines for Act 1, and most of Act 2. So, regardless of how prepared anyone else is, *I* will be ready. I'll be the consistent actor. (Okay, there ARE a few others who are as dedicated as me). ;)

Colin isn't doing a major show right now, but his year 11s are doing adaptations of some Robert Munsch stories right now, which they will perform for primary schools next week. I'll take Ethan to watch, too. A couple summers ago, we saw some Munsch adaptations done at Chemainus Theatre on Vancouver Island. They were SO good and Colin's wanted to do something like that ever since.

Here in NZ, Robert Munsch is not well-known, so the stories were new to the students. Not new to Ethan, however. He and Silas have been at some of Colin's rehearsals as they fall on the same night as some of my rehearsals. One of the stories they are doing is "Love You Forever." This is a very well-known story in our house.

The cast has been off-book for the last couple of rehearsals and any time one of them misses a line or gets something wrong, guess who corrects them? Yes. Ethan. And he's probably not very forgiving. He will insist they get it absolutely right. It's amusing. These kids weren't expecting a 5 year old director.

And speaking of the 5 year old, he will be acting in his first ever play at the end of November, starring as Zacchaeus, at church. He doesn't have any lines, the entire thing is narrated. But we're working on facial expressions and actions.

He was a little disappointed at first, because he wanted to be Jesus. Colin and I tried to sympathize, but we're drama majors. You take the role you're given, kid! ;)

And I need to talk about Ethan's Sunday School teachers. I was actually moved to tears this past week, just thinking about them and how they love those kids. When I was called by one of them to ask me if I thought Ethan would like the role of Zacchaeus, I just thought how special it was. They know how much Ethan loves drama and how much he wants to "act", even though he's never really done it in front of an audience. They've taken his own special interests into account. And I know they've done that with other kids, too, trying to build on individual strengths in the group.

These wonderful women (and sometimes men) who lead and guide our children on Sunday morning are not lumping these kids together and just doing random activities. They are gearing their lessons and activities to suit the kids' interests and abilities. It takes very special people to do that.

We dedicated both our boys to the Lord when they were babies. We did so in two different churches, churches who promised, along with us, to help guide our children into a relationship with Jesus. We are no longer in either of those churches. And still, we are part of a church, who, though not formally, are doing exactly what our other churches promised to do. I feel so blessed. So blessed by the time and commitment to my children, even if it's just 45 minutes once a week. And to know my son is seen as an individual, seen with his strengths and unique characteristics, not just as "another kid in Sunday School." They are seeing him as Jesus sees him.

And that is what brought tears to my eyes this week. And makes me ever thankful to our God, who brought us here, who brought exactly the people we all needed (including our children) into our lives.