Monday, July 27, 2009

How Sweet It Is: Opening Night with Snickers

How sweet it is! And how sweet they are! I know this is a food blog and trust me, this is a food story. As is my custom, I do put food in all of my plays. (Do You Always Put Food in your Plays?) The Magic Fishbone did indeed have fish: cod and salmon. Also turnips and references to cheese, bread, crumpets, jam, butter and a proper English trifle. If my young thespians don't go into theatre, they might be swayed to go to culinary school!
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I had two casts for the show and so two openings. They couldn't have been lovelier. But they are not without their terrors. That's where the wonder of chocolate enters the scene.


Sometimes ... when props are missing, costume pieces are in a sink and 50 students backstage sound like an earthquake - creating enough energy to send a man to the moon - I wonder, "Why do I do theatre with kids?" The wondering lasts a few minutes and then something happens to remind me why I love it.
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A very shy, young girl was having her very first opening night. How special is that? She retreated and could barely talk after getting into costume. We spoke about getting in front of the audience for the first time, how they are rooting for you and how much easier things get once you've finally said your first line; once you can see that the show is going according to plan. The older students chimed in agreeing. She remained wide-eyed and quiet. She looked at the floor, looked at the clock and stood in a trance. Her older sister who is her security, was ushering. My co-director and I produced bowls of treats as is our custom. (It does produce high energy for an hour!) I had mini Milky Ways and mini Snickers bars. I do confess a love of frozen mini-Snickers bars. I had been known to delve into my children's Halloween bags and swipe them. (Bad mom.) I was kidding the cast and mentioned more than once that they needn't finish all the Snickers. I was not adverse to taking a few snickers home with me.
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Ten minutes later the bowl was empty. Not one Snickers bar or Milky Way remained. The show went on and was indeed high energy and lovely. The shy young actress was grand - rising to the occasion. There were some proud directors in the back. After the show, when we were milling around, a small hand took mine and pressed it.

A Snickers bar was put into my hand.
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"I saved it for you to take home." From my terrified thespian who had a successful opening night. Sweet actors, sweet opening, sweet Snickers. The rewards of theatre with kids: young actors and Snickers.

21 comments:

Wanda..... said...

That was a very sweet post...and I don't mean the snicker's bar...It must be very rewarding for you to encourage someone so young and then be able to see the results of such almost immediately...
My daughter is the children's librarian at our local library and she loves working with young children.
I always enjoy your posts Claudia!

Foodie with Little Thyme! said...

Hugs to you and that sweet little one! I'll bet that was the best Snickers bars you have ever tasted!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful post! Glad everything went well!

Anonymous said...

This touched my heart. The wonder of love, not Snickers.

Reeni said...

What a sweet, sweet story! What a gem that little girl is!

Anonymous said...

Aww, that's so nice! I'm glad that the show went so well!

Anonymous said...

Oh, what a super beautiful and touching post! How grateful that sweet little girl must have been, but how JOYFUL and accomplished you must have felt too! What did you do with that Snickers though? Bet it was the best-tasting bar of Snickers you've ever had!

Anonymous said...

Wow, the smaller the treat, the more special it is! the taste left by a loving, caring gesture! Truly sweet!

Donna-FFW said...

Oh, what an endearing post, what a darling little girl.

Miranda said...

What a rewarding job...
Thank you so much for sharing...

By the way, I love Snickers

unconfidentialcook said...

How very sweet! One reason we chose the school Emma attends is the music/theater program. The performances bring me to tears every year...so I can only imagine the pleasure you get from all that you do for these children!

theUngourmet said...

How sweet! It's so great that you work with kids in this way.

I love frozen Snickers too!

Jenn@slim-shoppin said...

That's so cute!!

Glad the play went well!

Barbara GF said...

Awesome post, Claudia! And what a handsome cast you have there. What a sweet tale about that young thespian — your talents and love of theater are infectious. I would love to share a frozen Snickers with you and watch one of your productions. Keep the arts alive!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

I'm so glad your show went so well. Great post. I know you must be so proud. Loved the snickers bar...sweet! Hugs to you!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Aw, Claudia...this was so sweet to read! I'm sure that made your day and it was another confirmation that you are the right person in the right job encouraging these talented youngsters that they can enjoy acting.

The photo of the actors is wonderful. Look at all those happy faces! Glad to hear your show was a success!

Juliana said...

Lovely post! Thanks for sharing it!

Katy ~ said...

You've made a difference in that little girl's life. Who knows what she may become.

Cookin' Canuck said...

What a sweet story! She will remember that night for the rest of her life.

Heather S-G said...

aw...how sweet!! I love frozen mini-SNickers, too!! :D

{kiss my spatula} said...

so sweet...love it. you have such a rewarding job...you must be so proud. thank you for sharing!