As I watched a Masterpiece Drama last night, one of the scenes was about an Opera star who was hired to sing before the King at an ocean side resort. She had to be told that the King had decided at the last moment not to come. The promoter was deeply saddened, but prepared to pay her anyway if she decided not to sing. But this Opera singer said that singing was what she did, was who she was. Of course, she decided to give the recital anyway.
This reminded me of the many times when my family would get together just to rehearse. We enjoyed making music together regardless of whether we had an audience or not. But deep down, we really like having an audience. Applause from a crowd gives us validation for all of the hard work of practicing. So we always invited our dad to be the audience!
My dad was someone I always wanted to have in my audience. He had such a repertoire of laughs and guffaws! If he started laughing, the other audience members joined in, too. They couldn't help themselves. He knew how to clap and whistle with gusto, too. He was the best!
My dad was someone I always wanted to have in my audience. He had such a repertoire of laughs and guffaws! If he started laughing, the other audience members joined in, too. They couldn't help themselves. He knew how to clap and whistle with gusto, too. He was the best!
Before I married my husband, I informed him that he needed to learn how to be like my dad in the audience. Ellis, over time, learned many different unique laughing styles, including a genuine, rumbling, belly laugh that was hard to resist. He turned into a great audience member.
Ellis made sure to go to all of the children's games, concerts, and shows. They always wanted daddy there. And as a grandpa, he was in great demand to go to the grandchildren's games, concerts and shows, too.
Ellis made sure to go to all of the children's games, concerts, and shows. They always wanted daddy there. And as a grandpa, he was in great demand to go to the grandchildren's games, concerts and shows, too.
Over the years, I have learned that having a great audience helps the performers give a great performance, especially in Children's Theater. So before each show, I make sure to go out and "warm-up" the audience. They get to practice various levels of applauding, laughing, and looking interested. The energy from the audience funnels right up onto the stage. It is infectious and helps the performers so much.
Here's a song from "The Tale of Chicken Licken" that is sure to start a warmed-up audience off onto their laughing, cheering, whistling, and applauding best. "Good Mornin' Sunshine" 2-Part Children's Chorus Vocals by Makayla, Melanie, Megan, and Maya Rock.
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