A star is born

I may have mentioned this before, but Sophia has been interested in taking an acting class for a while. I finally found a place for her to try where you don't need to audition and it's non-competitive. Star Brite Performance Centre is just starting their winter performance rehearsals this week and Sophia went tonight to sample two classes. Here are the class descriptions:

Rising Stars (ACTING): A creative musical introduction to performing. This class helps to build confidence and enrich basic social skills. Introduces students to scripts, improvisation, and theatre terminology. Students will perform the last day of class in a ‘Spotlight Performance’. One hour class, weekly.

and

Group Vocal for Rising Stars (SINGING): Enhance your child's development and love of music through song and movement games With an array of song selections our music classes help children explore the power of rhythm, melody, tonality and beat. Students will perform in a ‘Spotlight Show” on the last day of class. One hour class, weekly.

Well, if we can say anything about Sophia it's that she was in heaven tonight and these two classes are RIGHT UP HER ALLEY. I watched from the "parent lounge" as she enjoyed every last minute of it. I watched the whole first class from behind the glass window. They first had to stretch their bodies, then they made some really strange and loud noises to warm up their voices, then they got to move silly to get the body to come alive, then they did some dancing and singing, then they played some movement games, etc... they even practiced taking a proper bow at the end of the class. In between classes the students got a five minute break during which Sophia came barreling into the parent area to tell me that she got a "practice" solo and that she was going to have to use a French accent. She couldn't remember her lines, but she told me her French accent would probably sound like her British accent. It's quite good, if I may say so.

Then she bounded back to the stage to find out that she had a few more minutes to relax so she returned to me. I asked her if it was alright if I left to run an errand or if she wanted me to stay. It fell on deaf ears, but I assured her that I would be back in a half hour and, in what I predict to be her "13-yr old voice/tone/attitude" she flicked her hair and couldn't wait for the sentence to escape my mouth before she was telling me to go. Then she shooed me! Sometimes I think that she's growing up...up, up and away and I realize she's only seven and she's still young, but she keeps growing up right before my very eyes and part of me felt a little sad that she didn't need me tonight.

Anyway, I left to pick up some thank you notes at Burlington Coat Factory because it was the closest store other than Food Lion. I was pleasantly surprised. I actually found some cute cards, but I also discovered that not only do they carry a giant selection of coats, but they also have a Home Goods and Decor section. It was fun to browse for a bit before I stumbled on the thank you note cards. Did I mention that each class is an hour long...and that Sophia doesn't seem to care if I'm there or not for her classes? Could be trouble.

When I got back the choral group was singing a song from the Lion King. The "Rising Stars" are going to practice and perform The Lion King in March. The final show will be on March 18th and she'll be getting a cast photo taken "in costume and make-up" on March 11th. I will have to come up with her costume on my own. The theater has a costume closet that we can raid, but I have no idea if we'll be able to find anything in it for Sophia specific to her part in the show. Too bad Nana doesn't live closer because she's so good at coming up with or even sewing costumes for shows.

When the second class was over and Sophia emerged with her coat she made me guess which part she wants in the show. These are her words, not mine: "Of course, the lead, Simba! Yeah, but since I'm the tallest, I'm not sure if they'll be able to twirl me around so maybe I won't get that part." It was so cute to see the little wheels in her head spinning while plotting it all out. I didn't even have to ask her if she wanted to sign up. I knew. She asked me if she was coming back next week and when I said yes she pumped her fist in the air and let out a loud "YES!".

Sophia said that they all have to try out the third week of classes so I guess they will determine parts and hand out scripts after that.

We were excited to tell Lilly that her new "bestie" from Kindergarten is in both classes with Sophia. Claire and Lilly have become quite fond of each other. I emailed Claire's mom tonight asking if she can come over for a play date some day after school and we're emailing back and forth trying to figure out the best day. Lilly will be so thrilled when I tell her the news.

When we told Lilly about Claire she immediately said she wants to take the classes too. While I would love for her to do that....I'm not sure if it's even possible. In the last email from Start Brite I read that the Tuesday evening classes are completely full already. I'm going to check tomorrow with the director, Ms. Brenda, to see if Lilly can come and give it a trial run next week, but I'm not sure she would really enjoy the classes anyway. I don't know how she would feel about being singled out to speak or sing in front of a group. She's terribly shy and quiet when I'm her teacher in Sunday School. A few months ago Lilly decided stop participating in the kids choir at church because "the director is mean and always telling me where to stand" according to her. Sophia, on the other hand, loves Ms. Belinda and says only nice things about her. Belinda is also my co-teacher for Sunday School so I know her quite well and I know she doesn't have a mean bone in her body. We tag team teach. I do the Bible lesson, she does the Bible memory verse and then the music, then when she leaves half way through the class to to to the adult choir practice I continue on with the kids playing games.