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| Freddie in the "Playbill" |
After a week of zoo camp, Freddie attended musical theater camp. He was game for trying something new, and performance is a valuable experience for kids, one that I think is currently lacking in his school, so I was excited to sign him up. We explored his taking a once a week after school class during the school year, but timing and commute didn't make it feasible so we made the summer work. I wasn't thrilled with the idea of him being in a dark, windowless theater all day, each day for a week, but thought it was worth trying.
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| On stage as the parents entered and oh so obviously nervous! |
Turns out he was the only boy and one of the younger, if not the youngest, campers. He seemed fine with the situation, which is one of the things I admire so much about him. He handles the new and unknown so well. He is excited about everything. Each day he said it was a good day, but it seemed to take him a while to begin dishing and giving details and then finally gushing about the experience.
The group of campers wrote their own play together and performed it for parents on Friday afternoon. The music was a mix of songs from Broadway shows and from songs the children's theater group has written. Freddie was singing and humming to himself all week, but he wouldn't tell us anything about what to expect at the Friday performance.
When I saw Freddie on stage when I walked in he looked so nervous. His lower lip and chin seemed to be quivering. I really thought he was going to cry. But once the vocal warm up started he seemed ok.
To say I am proud of him his an understatement. He handled himself so well on stage and throughout this whole experience. He really put himself out there.
I'm not sure if he'll want to do it again next summer, and I think that has to do more with his being a 6 year old boy and wanting more during his summer beyond working in a dark, windowless theater for an entire week of summer vacation. I do think he is interested in doing another play or musical but with a different schedule.
Camp is a huge splurge, especially considering the cost of summer camp in NYC. It is not necessary for child care because I am home full time, but it has provided some rich experiences for the boys. I look forward to seeing what interests him next.
Check out some highlights I filmed here:
Or the entire 17 minute performance here:
