Because The Show Must Go On

If you’ve been around here for a few years, then you might remember that our elementary school does a fourth grade play.

And four years ago, when Number 3 was in fourth grade, he was very unexpectedly cast as the lead role in Aladdin.

The kid who literally never spoke in preschool or kindergarten was acting and singing and starring in the fourth grade play.

I was shocked that was even brave enough to audition.

So when he was cast as the lead I was completely blown away.

It was a major confidence booster for him, and kind of a turning point in his life.

He loved it!

The next year when Number 4 was in fourth grade, the play was Peter Pan.

I honestly thought she would get a major part.

This was kind of her thing.

She loved to be on stage.

So when she was cast in a very small role as Cubby, she was devastated.

I was bummed for her.

But it was a great opportunity for her to practice dealing with disappointment.

As you can imagine, Number 5 has been anxiously awaiting the fourth grade play.

And now that she’s finally in fourth grade, the time had come.

We waited.

And waited.

And waited.

And waited.

There was no news of any play.

There was no announcement of when auditions would be held.

When January rolled around and there was still no mention of any play, I broke down and posted in the school Facebook group.

What’s the word on the play???

The word was, there was not going to be any play because nobody had volunteered to direct it.

While there is a (very small) stipend for the teacher or teachers who volunteer their time to run the play, there was no one either willing or able to take on the task.

Number 5 was crushed.

And while I can appreciate the opportunity Number 4 had to deal with disappointment when she didn’t get the part she wanted in Peter Pan, I wasn’t really willing to have Number 5 miss out on the entire experience of the fourth grade play.

Eventually enough parents voiced their concerns because the fourth grade play is kind of a rite of passage. There has not been a time in at least the last ten years that it hasn’t happened.

Finally the principal sent out an email to parents.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! it said.

They were looking for anyone to direct the play.

Four people volunteered.

They will all be working together in different capacities.

And…

Well…

I’d like to introduce you to the director of this year’s fourth grade play…

Cause DAMMIT, my kid is not gonna miss out on the fourth grade play.

And if you live in town and have a fourth grader, well…

neither is yours.