Gonna get some blowback but....
Posted on: June 20, 2019 at 07:41:11 CT
KCTiger83 MU
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22.15 yrs
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After trying soccer, baseball, track and basketball, and running into belligerent coaches, demeaning, snide parents, and bully teammates, my son "found" musical theater in 3rd grade. Continued to play baseball for 2 years until OUR coaches got into a verbal brawl at a game and embarrassed the hell out of me and all of the players.
We found over 10 years in theater, that it offered ALL of the benefits of team sports, with NONE of the bs:
-have to tryout for the team (audition to be cast).
-have to be on time (in theater that means showing up 20-30 minutes BEFORE rehearsals begin.
-have to have players of all different skill levels, talents and abilities.
-can integrate children with special needs (had an actress in a wheelchair/paralyzed win a Tony this year).
-perform live in front of a crowd (audience).
-have to physically train-agility/strength/stamina all extremely important...think not? watch the "Barn Dance" from 7 Brides for 7 Brothers", and tell me how many "athletes" could pull that off.
-no "do-overs"-have to learn to adapt and push on when things don't go perfectly on the field (stage).
-learn respect & gratitude for coaches (directors/choreographers), parent volunteers, theater employees, audience members, backstage crew.
You DO NOT have issues with parents fighting over the result of the performance, or yelling at referees, or berating their children over mistakes. Parents do not "drop off & pick up", but rather, are involved in volunteer committees to help put the show on. Parents end up as friends, and learn alot about their own children and other kids as well.
Lastly, kids learn to deal with disappointment (not getting cast or a role they want, and how to accept what they are given (crew/understudy/ensemble-chorus). Moving on from that initial letdown, and then doing your best at whatever role you are given is a huge life skill that is developed.
Still have a step-daughter on a competitive, traveling USSSA U18 team, and hold my breath at every game, praying that our parents won't be complete idiots. Have seen this too many times-from the kids who learned it from their parents. Makes the experience pure torture, but at 17 years old, it's her choice to play.