A friend came by yesterday offering me some fabric she hoped I could use. The fabric turned out to be many, many partially assembled costume parts all in the same lime green cotton. She had really not examined the box beyond lifting the lid and noticing a lot of what she thought was green fabric. As we looked more closely at what was actually inside the box, we were astounded to see evidence of such a lot of WASTED EFFORT.
These partially constructed tops complete with sewn-in zippers but no sleeves or collars or connection to lower sections were in so many different sizes. Looking through these pieces was just bizarre. They were carefully pressed and some seams were even finished. But, I decided that trying to figure out uses for these random costume parts would be more trouble than it was worth. Besides, I had no immediate plans for a show needing costumes for 50 little green frogs!
Looking through that box got me thinking of other WASTED EFFORTS. Mostly what I have thought were my own wasted efforts. I have been taught that there really are no wasted efforts if you learn something in the process. Well, sure, lessons can always be learned, but at what expense?
Writing Children's Theater can sometimes feel like a lot of wasted effort. In the end, you can only do what you can do. As the writer, you can IMAGINE all sorts of wonderful things. As the director, REALITY sets in, and you have to deal with budget restraints, venue limitations, technical difficulties, crazy family schedules, and child actors who have little experience and basically no skills.
These partially constructed tops complete with sewn-in zippers but no sleeves or collars or connection to lower sections were in so many different sizes. Looking through these pieces was just bizarre. They were carefully pressed and some seams were even finished. But, I decided that trying to figure out uses for these random costume parts would be more trouble than it was worth. Besides, I had no immediate plans for a show needing costumes for 50 little green frogs!
Looking through that box got me thinking of other WASTED EFFORTS. Mostly what I have thought were my own wasted efforts. I have been taught that there really are no wasted efforts if you learn something in the process. Well, sure, lessons can always be learned, but at what expense?
Writing Children's Theater can sometimes feel like a lot of wasted effort. In the end, you can only do what you can do. As the writer, you can IMAGINE all sorts of wonderful things. As the director, REALITY sets in, and you have to deal with budget restraints, venue limitations, technical difficulties, crazy family schedules, and child actors who have little experience and basically no skills.
Little Lambs dancing and wagging their tails in "Never Cry Wolf"
"So, why do I do this?" I wonder.
Then I remembered an exchange that happened a few years ago during one of my Summer Theater Camps. My daughter's family was staying with us at the time and she and I overheard her 7-year-old son explain to the the neighbor boy about our play.
Then I remembered an exchange that happened a few years ago during one of my Summer Theater Camps. My daughter's family was staying with us at the time and she and I overheard her 7-year-old son explain to the the neighbor boy about our play.
He was surprised that the little boy didn't know about Aesop or his fables, or what the word "contrary" meant. The kids were playing in the backyard and Ethan didn't know his mother and I were overhearing their conversation. Ethan told his friend about the contrary Boy Who Cried Wolf and how he lied so much that the people wouldn't believe him anymore. "You really shouldn't lie to people." He also explained that he got to be the Wolf and carry off his sister as the last little Sheep. He even had his sister Iris demonstrate her little Lamb dance. She sang as she danced, and Ethan came up and carried her off just as they were to perform it in the show.
Katelyn and I looked at each other. "That's why you keep doing this," she said.
I guess what I do really isn't wasted effort after all.
Katelyn and I looked at each other. "That's why you keep doing this," she said.
I guess what I do really isn't wasted effort after all.
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