Proud mother moment

School is in full swing, and so is the drama. That's both good and bad. The womanchild is involved in a community theater production of Beauty and the Beast which debuts this weekend Her rehearsal schedule has basically been four nights and one weekend afternoon for the last month. She met the new boyfriend there. He's playing Beast, but the scuttlebutt I've picked up is that he's a bit old-fashioned and a gentleman, so casting is going against type. She's enjoyed it, but it pales next to the drama group at her high school.

They had their first meeting today, and just like last year, she plans on working, maybe even managing, set crew. Though she'll probably play a few extra roles, the painting, building, sound and lighting are what gets her going. Her drama group is known for its sets. Last year's backgrounds for Guys and Dolls were used in a semi-professional (combination of professional and amateur actors) production in the nearest larger city this summer. After her meeting today, she brought home a catalog from a company called Scenographics. Just browsing, it looks like they provide templates for basic backdrops. Each year they sponsor a national competition among high school drama groups, and her background for the sewer gambling scene in Guys and Dolls tied for first place and graced the cover of the magazine.

This came the same day as her nomination for The National Society of High School Scholars. OK, I'm bragging, but just a couple of years ago, she was considered a problem child.

Her emotional nature, which suits her well for drama and creative endeavors like Destination ImagiNation, has contributed to some of her scrapes and figurative head butts as well as personal drama. Her DI team seems up to its ears in that now about who will be on and off the team. My only advise to her has been to take the high road and use the skills that DI promotes -- creative problem solving. In the meantime, trying to maintain my calm has become one of my most frequent activities.

parenting