My heart went out to the drama teacher I read about in a recent news item. Each parent from her class insisted that she cast their own child as Snow White. This reminded me of my seventh grade musical-"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer." I desperately wanted to play the role of Becky, the female lead who was Tom's girlfriend.
For starters, Becky had to sing numerous solos, and I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. I also didn't have long blonde curls like pretty Linda Wright who won the part.
I was assigned the non-singing role of Miss Watson, the Maid. I had to wear an ugly dress. And I had only one line to learn, "That's what I say. " Miss Watson was onstage in quite a few scenes, and got to repeat "That's what I say" throughout the play.
At last, our production was put onstage. Imagine my surprise when Miss Watson made the audience laugh out loud each time I piped in with "That's what I say. " I hadn't known that she or I could be funny, or that her character was important in moving the plot along.
That night, I began to understand that being the star may not be any more fun than being a stand-out in a supporting role. Each person, onstage and backstage, is essential in theater. Without everyone doing their part, the play would be dull as dirt.
If everyone is a star then nothing gets done. It's all noise and chaos. And so I believe all children should get the opportunity to play Miss Watson, to become someone they didn't know they wanted to be.
A. So it is in life.
B. It was not to be.
C. It was anything but a great part.
D. My Miss Watson turned out to be a hit.
E. It took the entire cast to make a good show.
F. There was an advantage, in my opinion, though.
G. I would hope all children could be a hit in life.
