The Hobbit

This past weekend, Jonathan was handed a sheet with information about tryouts for the ninth-grade play, The Hobbit. They were looking for children to try out for some of the 'small-people' parts. Doon definitely did NOT want to try out, Reader was excited, and Degarus caught Reader's enthusiasm. Tryouts were on Tuesday. Doon was upset that he had to go with us, but took his homework to work on there. We picked up the tryout sheets and rehearsal schedule, sat down to fill them out, and watched the 'big people' interact and work on a couple of things. I noticed that rehearsals began the next day, and were about 3 days a week. The director started having kids tryout by going up on stage and stating their name, age, and favorite food. We got our papers in before he finished, and to my (pleasant) surprise, Doon turned one in as well. Degarus was the first one from our family to go up, and made his own entrance, sliding to the middle of the stage on his knees, similar to a rock star. He really enjoyed the cheers and clapping from the ninth graders that he got from it, and almost beamed as he gave his name, age, and food. Reader was next, and, having seen the attention Degarus got, he slid on stage likewise, enjoying the same attention. Doon went next, and got attention of his own when he mentioned steamed broccoli as one of his two favorite foods. They enjoyed doing some acting 'games' with the older kids. I sat there almost hoping that they would get cut--that was a lot of rehearsals. Since then, we've had one other rehearsal (Doon had a 'Little Olympics' practice to be to on Wednesday instead), and Doon is having lots of fun. Reader looks like he may do well, and Degarus has decided he would rather sit with me and Nancy and do activities during rehearsals. It is fun to watch the group work together and improve their work. Yesterday, two of the characters showed the kids their developing battle scene. It looks like it will be a fun production.