Drama Club

At Elena's school, any 4th or 5th grade student can join the Drama Club.  They meet twice a week after school and perform a play (it will be in February).

Jason and I thought this would be a great opportunity for Elena.  It would give her a social, fun outlet to do with her peers, and hopefully make strong friendships and build confidence.  I asked E if she was interested.  She said no.

So, I waited a few days.  Jason mentioned it at dinner, hoping Elena was more open to the idea.  Nope.

At PT, Theresa mentioned it, and that several of E's friends were planning on joining.  Elena said she didn't think she wanted to do it...but she started wondering if it sounded fun.  By the end of the session, Elena decided she wanted to join Drama Club.

I had already arranged her after-school schedule, figuring Drama Club wasn't happening; now that she wanted in (and I support that idea), something had to move or be removed from her week.  I cringed b/c that regular event was her weekly private physical therapy appointment.  Next month, her schedule will open up a bit and we'll be able to arrange a new PT regimen--but until then, appointments will be less regular.

The first two days of Drama Club were auditions for their production, the musical version of Alice In Wonderland.  I accidentally deleted an email with preparation instructions and song practice, so Elena and I were in the dark as to what auditioning actually meant.  Each day Elena came home super happy and said auditions went well.  After the second day, there was a parent meeting.  The director made sure for us to remind our children that not everyone can get the part they want.  She advised the parents on how to deal with disappointment, and sent a sheet around for the kids to put down the part(s) they most wanted--just in case a child really wanted a small part, or wanted a backstage role, or something to that effect (in general, all the girls wanted Alice or the Queen of Hearts and all the boys wanted the Mad Hatter or the Caterpillar).  Roles were to be posted (sent by email) two days later.

We spent the next few days just doing our thing, hoping that Elena wouldn't obsess over what role she'd get (she didn't) or if she was nervous (she wasn't).  I kept checking my email, mostly because I was curious what role the director felt that Elena would best fit (naturally, she's the only impaired person in the club).

Roles came out just before midnight Friday.






Elena is Alice.