Laura's Memories

When my son Dylan decided to try out for the play "Laura's Memories" I was so proud of him. He practiced the song he would sing for auditions for about two months. The night he tried out I was sick and missed auditions but from my perch at the toilet's edge--I didn't miss there. I felt bad in more ways than one. He was certain he got a place as a farmer boy. Susan Peak--a friend who's daughter had been in the play before--said that they always give a part to anyone who tries out. I hoped that was true because I didn't want him to get his feelings hurt. When Brian got the email he read it quickly and told Dylan he was a farmer boy but he would play the lemonade man. He was so excited--he got the role he wanted.

Unfortunately I took summer classes at Missouri State University and his practices were on the same nights as my class. I looked forward to the first practice that fell after my last class. I wanted to see how things were going because up until then I was just getting updates from Susan. When I saw him on the actual Ozark Mountain Player's stage I wanted to cry. He had done the one thing in life I always wanted to do but never got my nerve and that's to act. When Dwayne--President of Ozark Mountain Players--said he needed help I knew that was were I should start. I discovered they had a web site that has been under construction for a while but no facebook page. I asked the group if I could set one up for them and of course they said yes. I was so excited I stayed up until one in the morning getting it done. The next practice I volunteered to help with the lighting. That was fun since it had been three years since I had laid eyes on a control board.

On opening night I screwed up two times but everyone was kind and didn't say anything. My oldest son Zachary helped in the concession stand. When it was all said and done Dylan asked if he could try apples and onions--since he sings about them. He let everyone try a bite because he knew one bite and they would love them as much as he did.

Next year all the children want to try out which is perfectly fine with me. They're like their father--photogenic.