Wednesday, July 27, 2011

I made it through Musical Theatre Summer Camp!


So, not only did I make it through the 2 weeks of summer camp, but I never felt better and had a wonderful time. I was so worried that I wouldn't feel well enough to teach every day at 8 months pregnant. Even though most of my family was sick at one point or another during the 2 weeks, I never got sick and seemed to have more energy than ever. When I saw all the kids performing up on the stage on the last day of camp with the sets that they created, the costumes they had designed, and their faces lit up with their voices ringing clear, I couldn't help but cry. The joy in the room was overwhelming as the parents watched their children light up the stage.  No one could believe how 40+ children could learn that much in only 2 weeks. (I mean, Sondheim is not easy.) All I can say is that when you are having fun and excited about something, you can pretty much do anything.  It makes me most happy to teach theatre in a way that brings out the best in people. The giving nature of performance rather than the competitive. The collaborative nature rather than for individual gain. The joy of sharing a message and accepting your humanness rather than the critical  judgmental and unrealistic nature of perfection. If my students left camp with a love for theatre and a feeling of self confidence and excitement about this art form, then I think I did my job. 

I will be taking some much needed time off to have my baby, but this was a wonderful way to end this year of teaching and I am already looking forward to next year. Hmmmm.....what show should we do?

1 comment:

John Earle said...

It certainly was an amazing show! I couldn't believe how great everyone was.