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

[Rora]

I was in shows from 3rd grade to 12th grade. Every year. The size of my roles varied by the year. My family would try to spread attendence out.. for example: my parents would come opening night, one set of grandparents would come in the middle of the run, another set would come towards the end, etc. This worked out well-- I had someone there the majority of nights but it was never a big deal to me (as I got older) to not have someone there.

Honestly, there would've been no way my parents could've attended every night's performance. Our shows ran for 2 weeks (I went to performing arts school...) and not only would it have been expensive for my parents but they had other things to do and they would've gotten pretty bored!!

 

[minkydog]

I make sure that at least one of us are at each of dd17s performances. DH & I usually take turns so that someone is home with Christian and someone is at the show. We usually bring her flowers on opening night. Her older brother will usually show up with flowers on another night. We did the same thing with him, except no flowers. Big candy bars.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

DS has been in every play/musical/improve/choir/band performance in high school. We always go if it is a one night performance and if they are doing several nights we go to opening and closing night. I try to spread out family members if we can. Grandma one night, Aunt the next, maybe God Mother another. DS is fine with it. They always have a good audience and he just loves being on stage (obviously). I don't know what we will do next year when he will be 4 hours away. I will still try to go at least to one night.

I get more nervous than he ever does! Does anyone else have "mom nerves"?

 

[MichelleVW]

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.

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 that's great that you guys go to every single event, that's not always possible. I was a working single mom for many years and I went to the things I could go too, and skipped the ones I couldn't. Didn't mean I didn't support or enjoy my children.

My girls know that I'm proud of them and support them no matter if I am in attendance or not.

 

[KiminChicago]

Oh yes, I always suffer from "mom nerves." I tell the kids I get nervous so they don't have to.

DS's middle school does one musical every spring, two performances (one Fri. night, one Sat. night). Everyone in chorus can participate, so last year's cast numbered 120 (they did "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"). Parents build the sets, sew costumes, etc. Since I was head of the set committee, I went on Saturday night. Afterward we helped break down the sets. DS was an Oompa Loompa, it wasn't a major part, and for the short time he was on stage, I didn't feel I needed to be there both nights.

This year the school is doing "Honk" and DS is trying out for the part of the Ugly Duckling. If he makes it, I'll probably try and be there both nights, although last year, after sitting through a couple of rehearsals during Tech Week (to correct any problems with the set pieces), I was happy to only go to one performance.

 

[Aristomommy]

DD just had her middle school play this weekend. The entire family attended once and I attended all performances. We did have other family and friends come also, so we had a small group at each performance. I liked the play so I didn't mind. But I wouldn't consider anyone a bad parent if they didn't.

 

[ugadog99]

I attend every performance of every production. My daughter goes back and forth between onstage roles and tech work. Regardless of her psition, I'm always there. It's important to her, so that's what I do. However, she intends to major in theatre, though, so that might make a difference. I am also secretary of the drama booster club, so I pretty much have to be there all the time.

 

[kacaju]

I was in shows from 3rd grade to 12th grade. Every year. The size of my roles varied by the year. My family would try to spread attendence out.. for example: my parents would come opening night, one set of grandparents would come in the middle of the run, another set would come towards the end, etc. This worked out well

This is what we do!!

 

[NMAmy]

When dd was in musicals, I'd go to every performance. Of course, I'm a freak who just loves musicals. She was never in a regular play so I'm not sure if I'd have hit every performance for that.

 

[Beachbumpirates]

Funny, we just returned from our15yr old DD HS play Night Watch. She was understudy for the lead and we went to one performance only since she was not onstage. I think it depends on the child's age, how many performances there actually are, the show itself and the cost of tickets. Some musicals we have gone to all and some we have only hit opening/closing when it has run for 4-6 weeks and tickets are 25.00 each. Our younger DD was just cast in Honk as the Bullfrog and this is her largest part to date. There are 5 perfomances and tickets are 10.00 each - I am thinking we will be at all of them. I can compare it to a sport without having to buy tickets - you try and make it to all games but that is not always possible. They know we love, support them and are proud of them but sometimes it is not always possible or practical to attend all performances. Don't beat yourself up if you are not in the audience for all performances.

 

[golfgal]

We would probably go to opening and closing night and that is it. Our kids know we are "there for them" without having to go to every single thing they do. We go to most but certainly not all.

 

[mysumi]

I used to have parts in school plays and also sang for several choral groups. To offer another viewpoint, it was nice to have my mom there for the first or last performances but it didn't break my heart that she wasn't there for many of them. I think it was because we did so many year after year? Several were for out of state competitions and trips and she had worked extra to send me but couldn't afford for the both of us to go. I felt fortunate that they cared enough to put in the extra time so we had the money to afford it. I just always did my best and enjoyed the shows, I never held it against her for the things she missed. HTH some of you if you're ever feeling guilty about not going to every single thing. As long as you know your parents do care, actively care, that's usually enough.

 

[Kae]

DD has done quite a few Musicals & is in Annie the first weekend of dec. We spread it out between family members.

Kae

 

[beachlover9395]

My daughter does youth theatre and I'm either there in the audience or volunteering backstage, so I'm there in some capacity for all the shows. I really, really enjoy watching the shows - the kids are so talented and I love being in the audience, regardless of what role my daughter has, and some of them have been quite minimal. But it's something I enjoy and I'm going to keep doing it as long as she's in the plays. Parents should just do what works for their family and not worry or feel guilty about it!

 

[aprilgail2]

My daughter is into drama and is currently in 2 plays- I am a single parent so there is no one to split the plays with. I attend every singel performance- including the Saturday ones where there is a 1pm show AND a 7 pm show. There is no way I would not be there for one of her performances!

 

[klacey1]

My parents never went to any of my high school musicals, even when I had solo's. Senior year, my grandmother forced my mom to go with her one night because the musical was Grease.
Yeah, my parents were NOT into attending my things. Definitely something I'm going to do differently with my kids-- at least two performances. It really hurt me (clearly, if I still remember it so well so many years later).

 

[dislaney]

Depends on how many shows and my schedule. I always go to opening night and usually attend as many performances as I can.

 

[Wishes]

My husband and I went to every performance! Wouldn't have missed a one of them!

 

[MrsPete]

...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...

Around here plays tend to be performed three nights in a row. No, I don't think I'd attend all three. I'd ask her which night is likely to be best /most special, and I'd attend that one. IF she were particularly nervous or wanted me to attend for some reason, I'd attend all three -- but I can't imagine my child wanting me to do that.

I'd also attend dress rehersal so I could walk right up to the edge of the stage and take plenty of good, close-up pictures.

No, the size of the part wouldn't influence my decision.

 

[Buckalew11]

I'm sure I'd go to the opening night and the closing performance. Possibly others. A lot would depend on how much she wanted us there, I think.