First Time Thespians

We live in a town that is all about sports.  My kids enjoy sports but I also want them to be well rounded and do more than just athletics.  The local community college sponsors plays for the children and youth several times a year.  The intermediate childrens play (11-16 years old) happened to be in the winter which was perfect as it landed between sports seasons.  I originally was just going to have Declan do the play as he has been begging for years to do them and he is naturally very dramatic.  

When I told Declan about it, Quinton overheard and he thought it sounded fun and he wanted to do it too.  I was so surprised, I never in a million years thought Quinton would want to do it.  They both went to auditions and had to sing a solo, do some improv, and a cold reading of scene.  The next day they found out what parts they were cast for in the play Into the Woods, Jr.  Declan got the part of Cinderella's Father and Quinton was the Wolf.

Six weeks of rehearsals came and went, and before we knew it, it was time for the play!  In the days leading up to the play Quinton was very nervous, and wished he could quit.  Too late he had to stick it out.   The parents were in charge of their own kids costumes, so I got to put together costumes which was fun. They had two different casts and they were in Cast 1 and had three performances.

For the Thursday night performance they had quite the support group. 

Back Row: McCoy, Eddy, Zany, Archer

Front Row: Pa, Grandma Parke, Aunt Rebecca, Aunt Jeanine, Rhiannon, Ashlee

Program and Ticket Stub

Quinton, center stage, as the Wolf, he even sang a solo!

Quinton and Little Red Riding Hood

In one scene, the wolf is suppose to howl.  Quinton due to his voice going deeper was completely unable to howl. He tried and tried for weeks but couldn't do it at all. He made arrangements with another cast member to howl off stage while he acted like he was howling. No one was the wiser not even the director!  Now that's acting.

Grandma Wolf in bed, soon to have a death scene

Declan as Cinderella's Father had one line but he performed it perfectly! 

Declan in "old face"

The grandma and the big, bad wolf

The finale had a lovely dance number

Declan in the swirling back capelet

Fan Club

Selfie time with dad

Brothers that act together . . .

Forks up!

The great thespian in his first role

Takes a bow!

They both did a great job for their first play, and it was so fun to watch them. I went to all the performances and each one got better and better.  Despite Quinton's reservations I finally got him to admit it was fun and he may even do it again.  Declan, of course, is totally doing it again and is hoping for a few more lines.