Happy World Theatre Day!

March 27^th is World Theatre Day and I would like to take this opportunity to write a public love letter to my all time favorite passion!

I don’t think it would be a big surprise to anyone that I was not an athlete in school. I dreaded gym class. I spent recess on the swing set. I played soccer for the obligatory two seasons, and quit when I got hit in the face with the ball. I felt like I wasn’t good at the stuff you were “supposed” to be good at, especially if you wanted to be one of the popular kids.

Then I stumbled (literally, I told you I’m not coordinated) into the world of music and theatre. My entire life changed. I started to become good at something for the first time in my life. No, theatre didn’t make me popular (shocking, I know) but it made me try hard, it made me confident, and it taught me how to treat other people.

Now, fifteen years later, I am still in love. I get giddy when I walk into a theater to see a show, first rehearsals still feel like first dates, and let me tell you there is NOTHING in this whole world like feeling an audience in the palm of your hand. Knowing that all of the hard work has made a difference to your audience. Actors live for those moments.

And the people! Ya know, I've been told that there's no people like show people, and I'd have to agree. I met my husband as well as many of my best friends doing theatre (6 of the 8 people who stood up in our wedding were "show people"). You become so committed to a common goal that you become family. They are the kindest, most open-minded, funniest, and most entertaining people you will ever meet.

If you've never experienced theatre from behind the scenes, put it on your bucket list. Especially, if you live in Midland, where we have one of the greatest community theatre facilities I've ever seen. You will have the time of your life, guaranteed!

My son, the drama queen

I’m not surprised. I’m glad, actually, that my son is turning into a very social little boy. I’m also not surprised that along with his social skills, Liam has a flair for the...dramatic.

He can’t help it with parents who act out scenes from Mary Poppins or play YouTube videos of My Little Ponies singing “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” to try to make him laugh. He’s been onstage three times now…once in the womb (I was playing a virgin...oh the magic of theatre and a good costume designer!) My point? It’s in his blood.

I was surprised, however, with how quickly it all took effect. This morning my son didn’t want to get dressed. Specifically, he didn’t want to put on pants. We explained to him that pants were a necessary part of leaving the house...no dice. We tried everything…distraction, bribery, you name it. It escalated into a full on tantrum…”I WAN’T TO GO TO NANA’S!” he screamed. He was certain that Nana wouldn’t possibly do this to him.

Then...as he was crying (my husband and I were laughing) that little over dramatic child was watching himself cry in the mirror...experimenting with different facial expressions and pitches of crying. Sigh. And so it begins.

Maybe someday, when he’s accepting his Oscar, he will thank his parents for making him wear pants.

We have no idea where he gets it from.

The Land Before Time...

Every night before bed, we sing a song to Liam (or several songs. It's actually my favorite part of the day). When I can't remember the words I usually just make some up. Liam caught on to some of the made up lyrics, and now he won't let me sing it any other way. This is Liam singing the Land Before Time theme song to me including some of the words that I made up one night..."You are the best dinosaur ever" He's a little sleepy and hard to understand, so I'll post the lyrics below.



Don't lose your way with each passing day
You've come so far, don't throw it away
You are the best dinosaur ever (Otherwise known as "Live believing, dreams are for weaving")
Wonders are waiting to start
When we hold on together
We know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
As clouds rolls by, for you and I.