This Apple Falls Far From the Tree

You are all familiar the common saying used often when referring to similarities between children and parents…“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

In many instances that statement is much too true when it comes to my children, but recently I am discovering just how true it is that each child is very different and unique.

When I was in junior high or high school I wouldn’t have been caught dead in a drama class or on stage preforming (except in a choir with many, many other students). It’s not because I thought there was something wrong with drama class or acting (quite the contrary), but because I never would have had the nerve! I’m not sure why I was scared; it wasn’t like I was shy by any stretch of the imagination. I was just much too inhibited for acting.

My daughter on the other hand, the same daughter who at times can be quite shy, is just the opposite. She loves drama class and performing on the stage.

This year she tried out for her school’s Shakespeare team. We worked hard together on a monologue from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and she made it! She came home so excited to tell me that she was on the team. I have to admit, I was surprised; not because I didn’t think she was good (she was really fantastic), but because this drama thing just wasn’t on my parent radar.

It is now!

Over the next several weeks, she and her fellow teammates worked diligently getting their performances ready so they could travel to Cedar City and compete at the annual Shakespeare Festival. Teams of students from all over the state have the chance to go down and compete. It’s a fabulous opportunity.

Before the team departed for the festival they preformed their pieces for an audience of parents and fellow students….

Mary Kate played a mischievous, commotion causing fairy who is under the command of King Oberon. She was very good, if I do say so myself.

Her talented (and tiny) friend Ally played the petulant Hermia. “But that my nails can reach unto thine eyes!!” She was fantastic!

A Midsummer Night’s Dream ensemble cast (most of them anyway)

The whole team from PG junior – some very talented kids

Psycho Fairies!

MK came home last night, very late. After an excessively long slumber (I’m suspecting there wasn’t much sleeping going on in a hotel room full of giggling teenagers), she was full of happy stories about her three day trip to Cedar City. She has declared her Shakespeare Festival experience, one of the best times she’s ever had.

As her parent, I’m glad Mary Kate has found a passion. I’m glad she’s found some new friends who share the same passion. And I’m happy (even thrilled) that she’s learning some new things along the way. Shakespeare is challenging, but these kids were really fantastic. I was thoroughly impressed; and that means even more coming from someone who would never have had the guts to get up on the stage.

Bravo team!