<p>Having read Peggy's post about Stephanie's being cast in the big dance show at Milliken, it occurs to me that we all confess to feeling a little guilty when considering whether to post about a success or an achievemant that our kids are having either in highschool, in their college programs or after graduating and moving out into the real world. </p>
<p>Well I'm here to say that I think we need to drop the guilt (and this from a Jewish mother!!........) and have a thread where we can share our pride in our children's success. If we have this separate thread, then no one has to read about these things if they don't like the idea or it offends them in some way. I, for one, love hearing about how well these kids are doing and I especially like hearing about the range of activities they are involved in. It may also allow us to learn about other opportunties that may be available for them.</p>
<p>So, if you're interested, come out of the closet and brag away. We share our fears, our sadness, our nervousness, our questions - why not share our joy and our pride. We've earned the right, right?</p>
<p>Love to hear what you all think about this possibility. Is this crazy or what? I won't be insulted either way. If no one likes the idea, I'll crawl back into the closet and celebrate good times with my cats.........</p>
<p>I always love reading about kids' successes that I know. I scour the local paper for names of the kids I know, and if anyone S knows is in a local show, we are there. I also love the annual Christmas cards and letters. I hear people complain that some of them are bragsheets, but I really want to know, and I love good news. I also love knowing people who are enjoying good news. So as far as I am concerned, bring it on! I'll be there in line at the box office if I can to see a CC kid perform.</p>
<p>Gosh, I agree. It's such a terrible feeling to know that some people resent my son's successes. I found out that a branch of my relatives have been saying bad things about him. "He's so perfect. Doesn't have common sense." That kind of thing. I'm glad to hear of kids doing well and find it such a joy when someone else shares in my happiness for my son.</p>
<p>Sometimes when things are not going so well with ones own kids, people do take a pass at these things, and that is all right too. But to be resentful is really foolish. You read so many terrible things, hear so many bad things about young people, that the good news is a fresh breath, hope. And it does balance out ones perspective of the world. There are successes happening out there. Though I can understand, taking a break from the news for a bad stretch, I really do not understand why people do not want to hear of others good fortune. How else is one to learn about the opportunities out there. Do post. And on this forum it is quite simple if you do not want to read about it. Just don't.</p>
<p>Even though I do not have a kid in MT, I have been following your threads. I LOVE hearing about what my friends' kids, recent high school/college graduates, friends of my kids, etc. are doing in school, internships, employment. Many are involved in such interesting, unique kinds of things -- so exciting to hear about -- even when my kids are stirring up trouble. Wish these kind of opportunities had been available to us parents when we were growing up (centuries ago, of course!).</p>
<p>Something else strange about bragging. I have no trouble telling everyone about Stephanie's successes in dance. But I have a Son. Very intelligent. He's a sophomore taking in two Junior classes -- English 11 and Pre-Calculus. He aced his pre-calc mid-term, and has the highest grade in the class in Eng 11. Also vice president of his class and will (probably, most likely be) starting goalie on the varsity soccer team next year. But I'm very careful whom I brag about him to. (poorly structured sentence, but right now my brain is filled with red paint and glitter )</p>
<p>Maybe it's because everyone's kids are in school, and therefore everyone's competing somewhat. Not everyone's kids live at the dance studio! Maybe it's because I don't want them to feel bad because their kid isn't at the same level as mine. It's OK that no one in the school's at the same level as Steph, dance-wise, because that's not associated with the school. Again, not everyone takes dance lessons.</p>
<p>I don't know if what I'm trying to say makes sense. It's one of those concepts that I understand in my head. I'm just not sure my mouth/fingers know how to say it!</p>
<p>Peg
who is also spending time over in the Engineering discussion group. Some of those are interesting, in a weird way!</p>
<p>My son is not into music or the arts in any way at all. However, when you have a chance, check out his website tuahan.com. His audience is other kids, of course, but I enjoy it.</p>
<p>Hmm, everyone seems to be a bit shy about this part of the forum, so I think I'm going to be the first to officially brag - about myself, lol. Today was the Washington State Regional Thespian Competition and I got double superiors on my solo musical AND my musical duet, which means I get to perform both numbers at state! It was a really talented group this year, I feel incredibly fortunate to get to perform with them. I'm reeeeally excited and yeah I just really wanted to share, so I guess thats what this board is for hehe. I'm anxious to hear more success stories! Don't be shy everyone...!</p>
<p>Brava Aspiringactress1! That is sooo exciting and yes, this is just what this thread is for. I was beginning to wonder when someone would take the plunge. Thanks for being first. Perhaps others will follow........</p>
<p>OK...... the forum is here so I guess I'll go for it also..... My D was recently contacted and offered a contract to work with the 2005 performing company of the Utah Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City, Utah! She performed there last summer as an acting intern, an opportunity gleaned from a previous NFAA award in spoken and musical theatre. It was a life changing experience and gave her a chance to learn and grow and perform along side the "best of the best" in a professional theatre setting. Utah Shakes won the 2000 Tony Award for best regional theatre and the production quality as well as the talent on and off stage is remarkable. She was invited to audition in NYC in November but knew it was a tremendous long shot as the audition pool this time was one of grad students and working actors. It surely helped to have been there the previous summer and proven herself, but we all know how uncertain this process can be.
Needless to say we are ALL thrilled - she gets another amazing summer to continue to perform, work on her craft, and make connections and we get to vacation in a glorious part of the country and see the full rep. Their typical season consists of 3 Shakespeare pieces, 2 musicals, and 1 play. My D was cast in Camelot, as well as a featured dancer/singer in the nightly Greenshow ( a nightly show performed on an outdoor stage and in the courtyard outside of the main Shakespearean theatre. ) They also said she would understudy a role yet to be determined. All the pressure is off for looking for summer stock work and this gig will pay nicely for a 19 year old actor. Good news all around!
It is kind of fun to have this venue to "just brag" as Theatremom coined the phrase. I do get the feeling we are all in a very unique place and get great comfort and pleasure from the experiences our kids are going through. I'll be checking regularly for more good news!</p>
<p>Now this is what I had in mind! Monkey - WOW!! That is so exciting. I LOVE hearing these things - the pride and joy we feel and share is contagious. I feel so connected to all of our CC kids that their every success feels kind of personal and makes me smile. </p>
<p>And Monkey, from the mom of a freshman MT who will be hitting the summerstock audition trail for the first time this winter/spring, I totally understand your relief. What a great way to spend your summer vacation!! Hope I have somewhere, anywhere!! to travel and watch my D this summer. To those of you who are suffering through the college audition process, I wish I could tell you that when that's over, it's over.......
Uh uh.....The beat goes on.......these kids will be auditioning, if they are lucky, for a long time.</p>
<p>And on that note, I'll add two small brags to the list. The first seems kind of silly because it doesn't have the ideal happy ending but it was very exciting for my D. In January, the UM freshman MT's were allowed to audition for the first time and the big departmental show this spring is City of Angels. After the first round of auditions, there were callbacks for a second vocal audition and then another cut and then a final reading callback before the cast was finalized. My D was the only freshman called back, actually made it to the final callbacks and was one of 3 girls (the two others being a senior and a sophomore) being considered for one of the leading roles. Of course the part went to the senior, but she had the most exciting experience and the upperclassmen made her feel so special, saying that it was amazing that she made it as far as she did - apparently it's quite rare. She learned so much and the experience gave her a wonderful boost of confidence. Second brag: Like Peggy's D, my D is an experienced dancer and loves it. So just for the fun of it, she went with an MT friend to audition for an original ballet that was choreographed by a graduate dance student for her masters project. Even though they assumed the roles would all go to the dance majors, they viewed it as an opportunity to do some pointe work as they don't get to do this as part of their MT ballet classes. Both my D and her friend were cast in this ballet along with 8 dance majors and will be performing the first weekend in April. My D is thrilled because even though the choreography is classically based and they are dancing en pointe, the piece is really contemporary, being done to the music of Nine Inch Nails! (a heavy metal rock group). It's unlike anything she's ever done and she's having a ball. </p>
<p>I know there is more to brag about out there, so post when you can and thanks for letting us share!!</p>
<p>Theatremom,
Thanks for adding some good news to the forum. Having gone through the audition and callback process is a wonderful thing for a freshman to experience. Having the faculty see one's work and getting that attention sets a great foundation for later opportunities. I understand the pull your D still feels for performing ballet. My D added an advanced ballet class to her schedule this semester because she found she really missed it. Having a chance to work en pointe to contemporary music sounds like a blast.</p>
<p>Just so other people don't feel that the bragging section is limited to Oscar worthy events! Let's celebrate the smaller stuff too. My D is thrilled that just in the last month she has been asked to audition (locally) for a college production (she's a HS senior), and actually cast in a local film to replace someone who became ill two days before filming. </p>
<p>well i'll chime in on a local note. my d just finished playing winnifred, the princess, in Once Upon a Mattress, in her high school. It's a large school and they only do a musical every other year, so with her being a senior, it was very exciting for us when she got the role. and, of course, she was fabulous. she'll be attending ocu next year in theatre performance, but is re-auditioning on feb 18 for the mt program.</p>
<p>Congrats to your daughter on her recent role! We talked a while back concerning OCU. I am glad that your d has decided to attend there and also that she has decided to re-audition for the MT program. Hope the audition goes well and tell your d to "break a leg!" Hope to meet you at OCU in the fall!</p>