Bolting out the side door
The next year, he went to camp on the first night without any hesitation, and even made it onto the stage for the singing audition. But he bolted out the side door again after only a few measures. He got another bit part, but performed with confidence and made a lasting impression on the audience.
This year, he was hesitant to sign up for camp because there was a new director who wasn’t familiar with his issues. So he asked me to send her an email to let her know he might bolt out the side door during the singing audition. But when the time came, he volunteered to go first and made it through the entire song without bolting. He was so proud of himself.
That’s what a tiny summer theater camp in Weekapaug, Rhode Island has done for my son.
During the school year, we don’t have much time for the arts. Our kids are busy with school and sports and life is incredibly full. But when we head to Rhode Island in August, we put sports aside — bypass tennis and sailing — and only sign up for theater camp. The kids love it and so do I. Aside from giving them the chance to explore a totally different activity, they can actually ride their bikes to camp so I don’t have to drive them. And since it’s from 4:30-7:30 p.m., they serve them dinner every night. It’s one activity that actually gives me a break instead of making life more hectic.
This year Adam, got the part of the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz. Not the biggest part but pretty significant for a kid who used to bolt out the side door, and he took the stage with confidence. My little boy who had to be dragged out of bed on the first day of camp three years ago has been transformed into a self-assured young man who isn’t afraid to sing in public.
It just goes to show you how much participating in the arts really matters.
Lilly, meanwhile, was an amazing Barrister and an Ozian with the most beautiful voice, and Jonah was the cutest flying monkey on stage. And although she was too old for camp this year, Maggie has applied to be a counselor next year.
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FranklyStein is a blog by Chesapeake Family Magazine editor Betsy Stein who lives in Catonsville with her husband, Chris, and four children, Maggie, 14, Lilly, 12, Adam, 12, and Jonah, 8.
Update: Since originally published, Betsy’s kids have — naturallt — gotten older. They are now 17, 15 and 11.
