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

[HM]

It would get expensive to go to all showings. I'd probably pick either opening or closing night. My kids do technical theater, so aren't performing, but are at every night's show. I only go to the first one usually.

 

[mjkacmom]

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!

Good thing you only have one! Dd14 is in 2 shows right now, and between rehearsals, sports, TKD, crazy dance classes and regionals, I rarely see my DH (we split up on weekends), never mind attending every performance - it's just impossible. We do try to get someone there at most performances. Her choir is singing at 4 or so events before Christmas, as is ds's, and then there's the holiday musicale at the elementary school. We have a performance and dance recital at exactly the same day and time.

 

[We_Love_Disney]

Much would depend on how many shows there were. If it were 5 in a weekend, then no, I would not watch all of them. Any less than that, sure, I would be there, ready to cheer and support.

 

[Robinrs]

I was a theatre major and my son is into the whole GLEE thing now. My parents only came to the opening performance of any of my things and I go to the open of my son's only, too.

 

[superme80]

I usually had my parents go to preview night since it was either free or discounted. It also depended on the show how often they came. When I was in Music Man they came once. When I was in Seven Brides they came about 2 or 3 times.

 

[erincon23]

DS18 was involved in every possible fine arts activity he could have been in high school -- band, jazz band, madrigals, a cappella choir, and all 12 shows. We went to all concerts, and about 1/2 the football games where the kids marched. Shows -- it depended on whether he was on stage or backstage -- onstage for all four musicals and a couple of other shows, and then we generally went once each weekend (although since I was one of the most involved parent helpers, I would usually sneak in at least one more performance -- i took the photos that the kids would get at the end of the year); if he was backstage, we would generally go once. Over the summer, he had a lead in a community production (Gaston in Beauty), and I paid to go once, but volunteered twice more so I got to go then as well (out of 7 performances). We went to most of the shows his rock band gave (although if they had stayed together and performed more, we wouldn't have gone to everything). When he was younger, we went to every karate tournament. Now that he's in college, 45 minutes away, we probably won't go to everything (and the school webcasts most of the concerts, so what we don't go to, we can watch). Now, DS15 is a different animal -- we'd love to go to his stuff; unfortunately, he's not involved in stuff to go to (but we did go to every soccer game when he was little, as terrible as they were...)

I don't think support necessarily means that you have to be there each night. He knows we support him because we help out where needed, make sure he's at all rehearsals, buy the t-shirts and program ads. It's partly financial that we don't attend everything (and $25 for a ticket??? man alive -- I thought ours were expensive at $10!), but we want him to learn that he performs for HIS enjoyment -- we definitely enjoy it too, but he doesn't do it for us -- and we want him to be able to manage without us around, knowing he's in our thoughts even if we aren't there in person. He's a star in our eyes, whether we're there or not.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

DS had a lead role in the middle school play last year and I went to every show.

He is currently cast in a small role for a high school show in December, but there are only 4 performances. I will DEFINITELY go to 2 - they are doing 2 shows each night - 5 PM and 7 PM. If I can make it to the 5 PM ones I will, if not I will be at the 7 PM shows. He is auditioning for a show that will open in January with 5 shows on 5 different nights. If he is cast in that one I might not go to all 5.

 

[ckoncurat]

My dh or I attend every performance our kids are in.. But I will admit to being a little bit of a stage mom. I love watching them perform!

 

[aprilgail2]

Question for those that attend every single event that there children are a part of....How in the world do you find the time? Do you not work? Are there never conflicting schedules?

I only have one so its normally very easy- her closing night of a play she is in now is Dec 18th and we also have a wedding that day- I am skipping the church, going to her final night of the play, letting her hang out at the cast party for awhile then we will run home and get dressed in time to go to the wedding reception! I wouldn't even miss her play for a wedding!

 

[KitKat_Tink]

I used to do theater prior to graduating high school. My mom would go to opening night only. When tickets cost $10 it just isn't worth it. I would however have a family member or friend at every show.

 

[Keli]

Usually only had three performances of each one....went to them all. I'd work before and after but bought a seat and watched it. But then I love plays/musicals so it was enjoyable to me.
Dh usually only came to opening night and aunts and uncles would space themselves so there was always family at each performance.

 

[mjantz]

DD does the Nutcracker. I'm not going to any school shows (other family members are going to help) & I'll see 1 performance & be backstage for the others as a helper. I think that will be my standard pattern for as long as she dances. I love being backstage with the other parents & the professionals so as long as she's dancing I'll be backstage for at least part of it.

 

[TDC Nala]

My parents never attended every performance and I would not have expected them to.

 

[WeCantWait]

I would go every night. I don't have HS aged children but do have a son that does Community Musical Theater. He does 4 shows a year. He has had parts from the ensemble to the lead, I have never missed a show. I get such a thrill out of watching him I wouldn't dream of missing it.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I went to a performing arts high school. I didn't know anyone that wanted their parents there other than on opening night. At some point it's not support, it's suffocation. When I was younger of course my parents were at every performance but by that age it's unnecessary. If you can only attend one or two performances that's perfectly fine, no need to feel badly.