My 4 Year Old Thespian

Michael loves to put on little shows.  He will make us say "introducing Michael" and then launch full scale productions of the 3 Little Pigs, Scooby Doo, or Bolt.  So when a local Children's Theater had a preschool theater class, I knew I had found the perfect activity for him. 

Now, before I get lectures on being a stage parent, I am not signing him with an agent or anything.  I believe in finding one activity a child loves and fostering it.  Be it sports, art, drama, it is all fine.  Michael is not a sports kid.  Soccer was a disaster of epic proportions.  He laid down in the middle of the field and refused to participate for 12 WEEKS.  I just took him to a soccer birthday party and he was all "Mommy, I love soccer, can I play soccer?"  And I said, "your father can take you because I did my time in soccer hell."

But theater class, he loves.  And at the end of class last week they put on a two minute production of "Pussycat, Pussycat" and Michael was the Cat.  He was so proud of himself delivering his one line and being chased by the mouse.

Glen Echo Park, which hosts Adventure Theater, was having a carnival that day with face painting, which is Michael's other true love.  I'm always amazed how my child, who will never sit still for anything, will sit still for that.

 

And then we went and saw the newest production at Adventure theater.  (And I must say this is in no way a sponsored post.  We payed for our tickets.  We payed for Michael's class.  They have no idea Michael's Mom is a blogger.  Caveat over.)  It was of course fantastic and Michael loved it.  And, we ran into DC blogger and a twitter pal, Corey.

With all the craziness moving has brought on, all the "not now Michael" and "in a minute Michael" and "you have to be good in this house Michael" and I'm sure it is only going to get worse when the house sells (please, please, oh please let that happen) I was so glad to give him a day just for him.

And when he accepts his Oscar the first words out of his mouth better be I would like to thank my mother.

Comments

[aimee]

How great to find something he really loves and be able to nurture it!

[Sarah]

Very cool. It's always wonderful when kids find something they are really excited and passionate about.

[Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com]

It always amazes me that kids can sit still for face painting too. I think it's only because they're using that time to plot the demise of the adults around them.

[Amy]

As a theatre teacher, I get very excited when I hear about young thespians!! Thank you for fostering his interest in theatre. So many people consider it "frivolous" or "girlie," but the truth is that kids learn as much--or more--about teamwork, organization, commitment, etc. in theatre as they do in sports. And they learn presentation skills, too.

After all, the saying is "All the world's a stage." Not "All the world's a soccer field." ;)

[Musings from Me]

We love Adventure Theater. We saw Winnie the Pooh there two Spring Breaks ago. It had been on my "if you live near DC you must visit" list for years, but with work, and kids' activities we had never gone. The production was cute....two or three actors played all the roles. My 10 yo was the oldest there by far -- she is a good sport. Her younger briother and sister loved it. I could not get over all the other stuff to do there...walking paths, the old pool, playground, and of course the carousel.