11.01.10

Nervous for my child? Nah!

Posted in For Parents at 5:16 pm by Maureen Alfiero

Well, maybe a little. But isn’t that normal? Of course.
Since my kids started doing theater, I always found it nerve-racking the closer we came to show time. I would worry about their costumes, whether they knew their lines, if they knew where they should be on stage. Let’s face it, what parent wouldn’t. No one wants to see their child “bomb” on stage. And guess what? The director, cast members, and everyone involved doesn’t want that to happen either (not forgetting the actor). I finally came around to understanding that “it’s all good” and what will happen, will happen. We all need to stumble a bit to learn, especially with youth theater. That is what makes live performances all the more exciting.

That doesn’t take the responsibility away from each actor and crew member to do their part in making good theater. However, it does help me keep it all in perspective. I know that a good director will keep everyone focused (which is always a challenge when working with kids) and he or she knows the right time to coddle and the time to get tough. I have never met a director who didn’t care about the end result. Same goes for all involved in the project.

I have had the pleasure of working with kids on stage and every time the show ends I am always impressed with their abilities. I have found that they always know their lines (sometimes better than the adults), always on cue, and always know their mark. Simply put, they’re “on it”. I have learned to relax and not worry as much.

Now as we get close to opening night, I still get a little nervous – more of a “good nervous” though. I don’t need to play director and tell my child what to do (that’s the director’s job) or worry about knowing lines. I can sit back, relax, and enjoy all the hard work that went in to the production. Instead of getting nervous, I have made it my job to clap the loudest.

10.24.10

Being a Stage Mom

Posted in For Parents at 5:43 pm by Maureen Alfiero

Being A Stage Mom

posted by:  Maureen Alfiero

It is hard to believe that six years have gone by since bringing my daughter to her first performing arts workshop.  I remember both the excitement and apprehension in both of us.   As I handed her off to the director of the program, I voiced my concern about her shyness and never doing this before.  I was assured that I would be pleasantly surprised by the end of the program.  “She will blossom.”  I was told.  Well, that was an understatement.  My daughter thrived.  She couldn’t get enough.   Her excitement spilled over to my son who became involved at the age of 5 and also loves the whole theater atmosphere.  From then on I was able to proudly call myself a stage-mom.  A badge I proudly wear.

Being a stage-mom can be tiring, I must admit.  The constant traveling, dropping and picking up, costume hunting, helping with lines, but, it has also been the most rewarding experience for all of us.   I wouldn’t change a moment.   We have learned so much through the theater.  Who knew that we would be able to build our own backdrop, or turn an old robe into the perfect costume?  I actually impressed myself once or twice.    Through all these experiences, what makes me so pleased is that we did it all together.   Theater was something that we, as a family, could share.

Sharing our theatrical journey is something I look forward to in future blogs.  I hope that you visit again to read a new post, whether from me or from a guest blogger.  It is all about sharing, learning, and accepting new challenges that help us grow – throughout life and through our art.