Sing Out, Louise!

I’m so proud of my kids tonight

For the past three weeks:

“Project! Articulate! Every word is important!” 

Daily drills. 

Feel your feet. Activate the breathe. Let go. 

I’ve felt a bit like Mama Rose

“Sing out, Louise!”

Hoping I’m not nearly as crazy as she was.

But I get why she does it.

You can see the potential.

Hear the voice that’s dying to come out

And it’s just hidden by inhibition

Or from lack of ever trying.

And you sit in on the rehearsals. 

And you work through the score.

And you stay up late

And you wake up early

And you hope that all the hard work will be worth it

And you get to show night

And suddenly there’s that extra element 

That is simply not available in rehearsal,

The audience.

And your children lift their game,

And you sit watching their show

(It’s theirs now, they own it.) 

And you feel like you’re in one of those TV shows

And you’re watching the show like a montage

Except you know every word

Every bit of blocking

And the director is sitting to your left

And every now and then you look to each other and laugh

Or worry about a delayed cue

Or a missed line

And you hear the audience go wild at the end

Cheering your kids

And you feel an immense sense of pride

In your work. 

And you thank each and every actor

For all the lessons they have taught you. 

The end.