Alex performed in his middle school musical this weekend as the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz. It is such a joy to watch him on stage. We never quite know what to expect out of him and are always pleasantly surprised. Last year, Alex was in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Arlington High School. We had to nudge him a little to audition......but he loved it, and then decided to audition at his middle school for their production of Annie. We were surprised and delighted when he got the role of Rooster. We were even more surprised and delighted when we saw him perform. He did such a wonderful job.
Alex really enjoys acting in the plays and musicals that he has been fortunate to be in. Joining the drama club, however, has been so much more for him than just showing up on stage in some role and costume. It has shaped him and improved him and enriched his life. Alex has found his niche. He has found his friends, He has found a good measure of self -assuredness, self-concept and sense of self in the drama club at LMS. He has become confident. He has begun to refine his personality and explore parts of himself that he didn't know were there. He has become secure in who he is. He has found great friends who accept him....and in turn, he has learned to be accepting and to be a friend.
I am not quite sure that any other activity could have done that for him. He has never been a sports kid. Drama has really helped him become a part of something bigger than himself, where everyone works together to contribute their little piece to make something bigger...the end products are great....but what is so much more important is the process that got them there.
So I am a proud Mama tonight. Alex still proves to be a challenging kid to raise, especially during these middle school years...but I am so happy with the direction in which he is moving....and I am thankful to drama for helping him get there.
"Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable" ~ Wizard
~ L. Frank Baum
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