It’s been a busy couple of weeks around the Weaver house! Both girls were in the Oak Park production of Tarzan the Musical. Gracie auditioned in August and made ensemble! Hattie has only been a part of the cast for the last month, because they invited elementary students from the feeder elementary schools to participate. And let me just tell you that it has been such a wonderful experience for both girls!
Theater has become a true joy for Gracie! She has met so many wonderful people over the past few months. Even Ryan was able to get involved with set building, and I was able to get involved with costumes a bit. Before she began her freshman year, Gracie declared that she would only participate in the musicals. She said that plays aren’t as fun. But now here we are at the end of the musical, and she’s already putting play auditions on her calendar!
This was Hattie’s first experience with theater, although she does have quite a bit of musical theater experience in dance. The people were absolutely amazing with Hattie! She made several new friends, and got even closer to current friends. After the first dress rehearsal, Hattie commented to me in the car on the way home, “I think I might be a theater kid, Mom! That was so fun!!” And I will say the same thing I said when Gracie got bit by the theater bug, they get it from their Daddy! I was the kid who auditioned for musical after musical, and never got a part. He was the kid who was the lead in many of his school performances!
I’m so grateful for the Oak Park theater department and the way the adults and kids invest in each other. What a great way to start Gracie’s high school experience, and special first theater experience for Hattie! The show was absolutely amazing! And even though it was hard to keep track of my little ape and my big ape on stage, the entire cast and crew made this show sensational!
