I’ve been writing, directing, and acting in children’s and youth theater for a long time. Okay, a very long time. If you’ve been doing something for a long time (okay, an extremely long time) and people keep paying you to do it, chances are that you are good at it and know what you’re doing. You might even start to feel good about yourself. Your plays are being done all over the country, and sometimes even overseas, and you start to congratulate yourself, “Hey, I’m pretty darn good at what I do. I’m so lucky to be doing what I love.” I love getting letters from students who have done one of my plays in their school. Among the “congratulations,” “thank you” and “loved it” letters lurk others from the future theater critics of America. As you read their comments, you start to hear the slow soft whoosh of the air being let out of your celebratory balloon. If it weren’t for the fact that I have worked with so many kids, and raised two of my own, I wouldn’t find these letters so funny. Plus, I, too, was once a young teen who knew everything better than anyone. Directors and drama teachers, this is the attitude that comes with being older than a 5th grader, smarter than Aristotle, and not yet in high school. You deal with it every day. I salute you. Now please read and enjoy excerpts from some of the favorite letters I’ve received from young actors. Names of students and schools are withheld to protect the innocent from their youthful arrogance. “Edith Weiss, Out of all the plays we could have chosen from to perform for our school, we choose (sic) your wonderful play. This was a very good beginner play, and I am sure that you will grow into a much better writer in time.” “Dear Edith Weiss, This was a very entertaining play which made the audience laugh. All the cast enjoyed performing this play as well. This was the first play I have ever acted in. I loved this play but felt it could have been better.” “Dear Edith Wises (sic), We had the privilege to recreate your wonderful play. I hope we get to perform more of your marvelous plays. They are beautiful. (and the very next sentence from this 8th grader reads…) I thought that your play was very good but it was a little boring. I didn’t think that the play was very funny but it had a good story line. I hope that my critique will help you make great plays. |
