WIZARD OF OZ

We recently just wrapped up production of the Junior High's, Wizard of Oz. Jaye was able to play Dorothy and in my unbiased opinion, crushed it!  I was so excited when the drama teacher invited me to help choreograph the show! Except, he needed help during second period and not the class that my actual daughter was in. What? There was another teacher who wanted to volunteer but could only help for Jaye's 4th period class. 

 

So, on Mondays, I'd drive to the school and the other teacher and I would use her free period to come up with the choreography. Then every Tuesday and Thursday for a few months, I carted Hollie with me to 2nd period to work with kids I had never met before. Overall, it turned out to be an absolute blast! I ADORE those kids. 

On the days I assisted teaching choreo to the other class, my schedule looked like this: 

*2nd period choreo: 9:45-10:45 (with a class of 18 kids) 

*Leave school from 11-12 (Usually drive around until Hollie falls asleep then go to Barnes and Noble to browse, praying she will stay asleep.)

*Return to school at 12: Eat my packed lunch in the Director's Classroom with a bunch of random rambunctious tweens I don't know 

*12:35-1:40 Teach Choreo again (to a class of 40 kids!)

*2: Go home and hope Hollie will take another nap so I can nap because I am completely drained of all life force.  

THOSE days were sooooo long and exhausting! Hollie was a champ through it all. I've learned so much working with the Junior High kids. I've been SHOCKED by the horrifyingly disrespectful behavior of many and AMAZED by the growth and effort of some. Junior High Teachers have earned their place in Heaven. 

I am reticent to share my thoughts of the actual performances. This was the Director's first year of teaching and first time putting on a show so there was A LOT of learning to be had. But the kids who put their hearts and souls into the musical, SHINED on that stage. Regardless of whether or not a prop or ACTOR made it on... the ones who cared pulled together a beautiful show out of a hot mess.

I am so grateful that I got to be a part of it. I got to know some wonderful and dedicated educators and a fellow stage mom. Even if I didn't get to spend as much time in my daughter's classroom, we got to spend a few weeks of afterschool rehearsals together, and I was backstage helping for the run, so we got plenty of bonding time! 

While driving home from one rehearsal, Jaye said, "I want to be a mom like you. That comes and helps with all my kids' shows." Talk about driving home on a cloud!

I just found out Jaye signed up for the Musical Theatre class next year. 

Bring it on. 

There wasn't a dress rehearsal so not a single kid got a picture IN costume or on stage. That was probably the BIGGEST bummer of the entire show. I was able to get a FEW of Jaye but never one in her BLUE dress AND ruby slippers😞

Jaye worked her booty off for this role and it showed. She would come home in tears MANY times because the other kids in her class weren't taking the show seriously. Seeing what she is up against at school, I am more deeply appreciative of her kind heart, respect, and dedication.