If Your High School Student had a Part in the School Play...

[DVCLiz]

...would you attend every performance? Would the size of your child's part matter?

Just curious - it's school play time again and DD16 has a medium size part and a small singing solo. I'm not inclined to go to every performance - some years I do if I really like the play, even if she is just in the back row of the chorus. Other years, if it's a show I don't really love, I'll go to opening night and maybe once more.

Just wondering what the other DIS parents do...

 

[punkin]

opening night and closing night.

 

[NHdisneylover]

1 or two performances. Three if I really like the show or if it is a very long run. I can't imagine going to every single one. I can't imagine my son wanting me there for them all either (he's only 11 though--not high school; I would think ti would swing to him wanting me there less and less if anything).

 

[Pembo]

My dd, 8, is in the Nutcracker this year. I was going to go to all 3 performances however tickets are $25 each. Then I started to think, she is only in one scene that lasts maybe 5 minutes.

So I will see her on opening night only.

DS is planning to be in the hs play next quarter. I'll be reading to see what other parents do.

He was in marching band this year. We didn't go to every game/competition. We skipped two away games and one comp.

 

[MichelleVW]

I didn't go to all of them, but I went to two showings of the musical.

 

[Hannathy]

No I used to go to 2 and never the first show! I agree that my DD didn't want me to all of them. Didn't go to all the nights of the recitals for dance either.

Plus I couldn't afford that many times! Going to 2 shows was costly enough.

 

[SleepyMom]

Great timing for this question, DD is in a play next week and I have been trying to decide how many times I wanted to go. DH told me today he's going to opening night for sure, doesn't know about the others.

In years past I went to every show she has been in because they only had one or two, but this is a bigger production this time and there will be 5 performances (2 on one day). I've asked her and not gotten an answer yet.

Opening night for sure and at least one other one, maybe 2 depending on crowd sizes. I don't want to take a seat from someone who hasn't gone yet.

Oh, and this time around her part is small... but for me that doesn't make a difference.

 

[nephthys43]

I had lead roles And my mom only came to one or two. Never all of them.

 

[mjkacmom]

Last year ds12 and dd14 had leads in the town play, and I saw it once, just like every year. I do help out backstage. A couple of years ago, dd had a big lead in a theater company's production of The Sound of Music. I refused to pay for more than one $25 ticket, planned on sneaking in the last performace, and it was sold out! Even when I help out at tech week, I won't watch - I like to see the whole thing at once.

Actually, ds12 and dd14 have been at a rehearsal for the past 5 hours, and I was trying to plan which show we will go to (again, $25 a ticket).

 

[luv2sew]

Every show of everything, plays, musicals, recitals, band performances, I go to them all. Because I wanted to be there in case something went very well for a congratulatory hug or not so well with a hug of support.

The ONE time my DD and I opted out of a curtain call for a dance recital is the night she was named "Best Tap Dancer of the Year" and was not there to receive her trophy (they only do it at one show...if your not there they hand you your trophy behind the scenes)

The days for your kids to be in these things go by so fast why not enjoy your kid while you have the chance.

 

[Mary•Poppins]

My son had a big part in Bye Bye Birdie... not the lead (he was Hugo). We went to two shows out of 5 performances.

After volunteering to monitor the kids a few times a week and seeing it come together ... I had enough of it by the time the performance came. I could sing all the parts for you if you would like to hear them ....

You are a good parent even if you don't attend every performance! We are now gearing up for Beauty and the Beast. Try outs are this week ... so we will see what happens.

 

[minniecarousel]

My older DS had leads in HS several times and I'm trying to remember if I went to EVERY performance. We parents took turns handling ticket-taking and intermission refreshments, so I think I paid for one or two performances and actually sat in a seat - then I'd work the other nights. I was in awe of my son; he was amazing onstage (&, honestly, I wasn't the only on who thought so!)

 

[The Mystery Machine]

...would you attend every performance? Would the size of your child's part matter?

Just curious - it's school play time again and DD16 has a medium size part and a small singing solo. I'm not inclined to go to every performance - some years I do if I really like the play, even if she is just in the back row of the chorus. Other years, if it's a show I don't really love, I'll go to opening night and maybe once more.

Just wondering what the other DIS parents do...

So far no plays, but I did not go to all of my dd's HS band performances.

I might attend them all or not. Depends on the play and the part I suppose.

Heck my dd has worked at Six Flags for the past 2 summers and we have not even gone to see her there. Kicker is we live 5 minutes from it.

 

[scottishduffy]

My parents usually only attended Opening night of my plays in high school. Even when I had the lead one year it was just opening night... I never even thought to have them there for more than that!

If it were me I would just go for the opening night, but it appears I may be in the minority here.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I would be at every performance. They are my children, I will be there to support them every night, no matter how big or small their part. I go to both band performances and chorus shows, even when they are on the same day. I coach all their teams and volunteer for every field trip, etc.
If my girls are doing it, I am there.

 

[almburr]

The school here just had theres Friday night and Saturday night. There was a mid afternoon preformance Thursday for the Grade school to watch and public was also welcome that was free. Friday night was $5 a lot went. Saturday is the big night They have a dinner theater that was $15. DH and I went to the dinner theater. This year was 'Guys and Dolls' DD16 was a doll not a speaking part but we went. The town likes that they have the dinner theater the principal will take one of the buses to go and pick up some of the elderly people that would like to see it. The local Red hatters will come as a group. Its a fun night.

 

[sunnyday123]

I would be at every performance. They are my children, I will be there to support them every night, no matter how big or small their part. I go to both band performances and chorus shows, even when they are on the same day. I coach all their teams and volunteer for every field trip, etc.
If my girls are doing it, I am there.

While I don't coach, I do hit most of the field trips-DD wants me to go, not because I'm hovering over her. But for performances, I go to each and every one no matter how many times I listen to the same song, or see the same performance. Her school doesn't charge admission, but if they did I would still go.

Part of the reason is her Father doesn't attend, he's usually "too busy." After 2 years in a row of watching her on stage look around for him, I now plant myself front and center, so she knows I'm there for her.

 

[LiberalPrincess]

My daughter had the lead in her musical, and when I suggested that I would go opening and closing night she asked me why I would want to see the same musical twice. When I said it was because I wanted to support her in the show she said, "So, if I am on Broadway someday are you going to come to seven performances a week plus the matinees?" Oh, the joys of a smart aleck child!

 

[quentina]

I would be at every performance. They are my children, I will be there to support them every night, no matter how big or small their part. I go to both band performances and chorus shows, even when they are on the same day. I coach all their teams and volunteer for every field trip, etc.
If my girls are doing it, I am there.

this

 

[simba20]

I performed in 6 years of community theatre and 4 years of high school drama productions, my parents usually just came on opening night. No harm, no foul to me. I certainly did not expect them to be there each and every night.

My senior year of high school they came on both opening and closing nights and gave me flowers on closing night (senior year tradition). My school did two "main" performances per year (Fall and Spring) and then did minor productions in between.