Your child is a natural and loves the stage. He or she loves to perform in productions at school and in their community. They get depressed as soon as their current show closes and they constantly check to find out more about upcoming audition dates and productions coming up next season. Maybe they have been cast as a lead more than once, but more likely than not, they are often cast in ensemble or supporting roles. It doesn’t matter because they LOVE the experience of doing a show.  

We’ve all heard the term ” The show must go on”. Theatre kids learn early in their experience to push through, adapt and improvise when things go wrong during rehearsals and performances. Because of the COVID 19 shutdowns, many young thespians and actors of all ages experienced something that rarely happens in the theatre. Spring shows were cancelled as late as opening night with no performances. It was like a death which they have truly grieved over these past several weeks. Still, most of them will tell you that they are grateful for their many weeks of rehearsal. Indeed, those memories of long hours spent learning lines, songs and choreography will continue to sustain them as they go through months of social distancing, school cancellations and stay at home orders.

Theatre kids typically spend ten to fifteen hours a week in rehearsal. In schools and community productions rehearsals are usually held on weeknights. At Children’s Theatre we rehearse on Fridays and Saturdays, adding a few Sunday rehearsals as performance dates approach. Either way, because of this time commitment, they often miss out on school events, birthday parties and weekend trips, yet these kids feel that the sacrifices are well worth it.  

What draws them to production after production is not ego or a hunger for the spotlight. It is the thrill of collaboration; the effort that they undertake as a team. The team becomes their theatre family in a matter of weeks. Theatre kids share a deep bond because of the risks they take together. Putting their fears, anxieties and confidence issues aside, they are called to move out of their comfort zone to perform a role. Their work directly effects every other cast member’s work in the show, and they are often put in a position that calls for direct eye contact and physical engagement. They may have to embrace someone, dance, speak in a new dialect, sing a solo, or perform on stage completely alone.  

Theatre kids support one another through many demanding moments, offering encouragement when their cast-mate feels overwhelmed or embarrassed, or a high-five when they achieve and deliver what the director or choreographer has asked of them. They grow by watching and working alongside one another, and through their interactions with the director, choreographer, music director and stage manager. They inspire one-another and work together in this way every week for two months on a journey that begins at auditions and ends as the curtain falls on the final performance. 

Later, as these kids and teens move into adulthood and into the workforce, they will be asked to lead others or work collaboratively with co-workers. Thanks to their theatrical experiences they will be able to count on the many life-skills they learned which will have helped them achieve more success during their years of education; tools such as time-management, problem-solving, initiative, awareness, empathy, trust, working under pressure, communication, flexibility, respect, concentration, dedication and self-discipline.  

Theatre kids are aware, engaged, curious, and in touch with their emotions. They do their research and come prepared to work hard. They are used to making sacrifices and are learning to lead as well as to collaborate. They seek theatrical experiences because of who they already are, and this work speaks to them- calls them. Theatre kids grow up to be successful business leaders, community volunteers, empathetic friends and dedicated parents.

Even though they may be acting a little dramatic as things remain shut down, I hope that you can see how truly remarkable your kids are. They are going to come through this crisis with a real hunger for the stage and all it represents, which for them is that call to be collaborative, creative, and engaged in a way that helps them deal with their fears and their dreams. You can be very proud of your family superstar, and I truly hope that you will continue to support and encourage their work in performing arts, no matter where their name falls on the cast list.