May I have your autograph?

[mysid]

My kids and I went to see a local high school production of Oliver! today as several of my daughter's friends were in it. (They're only in fifth grade, but elementary school kids were recruited to play the orphans.)

It was merely OK, but the girl who played Nancy--the most demanding female role--was really quite good. She had a wonderful voice and really carried off her musical numbers. As soon as the play ended, my seven-year-old daughter asked me for a pen and announced that she wanted to go get Nancy's autograph. I figured that the teenager would get a kick out of being asked to sign an autograph, so we did indeed seek her out and had her sign the program. We asked older daughter's friends to sign as well for good measure. A taste of stardom.

Comments

[fantomeq.livejournal.com]

Aww! I still remember getting autographs from a local production of Pirates of the Penzance when I was little and being so starstruck. So sweet.

[lorie945.livejournal.com]

My college used to do children's theater productions, and it was a ritual for all the actors to come sit on the front of the stage (a nice low thrust stage, if that means anything to you) and talk to the kids/sign their programs. It allowed someone who'd played an evil character to reassure the frightened kids (for instance, my roommate pulled off her witchy nose during the run of "Oz" so they could see she was just pretending).

[mysid.livejournal.com]

nice low thrust stage, if that means anything to you

Understood perfectly. I loved being in plays all through elementary through high school, but once I hit college, I went to a grand total of one audition. I quickly realized that I was out classed and walked out without auditioning. I did remain a theater rat, however. I just switched to backstage stuff: building sets, prop mistress, studying costume design.

And I guess I'm still at it. I'm in charge of costumes for the musical my kids are in at church this spring, The Rock Slinger and His Greatest Hit, the story of David and Goliath.

[lorie945.livejournal.com]

What a great title for the show. Love it.

I've done more techie theater stuff than acting, but I loved being in the kids' shows (when I was pretty much still a kid myself and had the energy for them!)