oscar

It is a beautiful evening at Bluestem Center for the Arts, a lush expansive riverside acreage in Moorhead, MN that is home to Trollwood Performing Arts School. It’s also where Micah has spent most of his days this summer. A few months ago, I’d enrolled him in a few acting classes at Trollwood Academy. Today marks the last day, and now we’re here for Sun Celebration, where all students can demonstrate what they’ve been learning to family and friends.

Micah sits in a chair on a small weathered gray pinewood stage. He leans forward, resting his arms on his long khaki-colored cargo shorts.  

“Felix, leave everything alone,” his face is scrunched together in a grumpy huff. “I’m not done dirtying up for the night!”

The scene is from the 1960’s Neil Simon play, The Odd Couple. Having grown up watching a myriad of 70s television sitcoms, including the spinoff of this play by the same name, I knew the characters well. I’d explained to Micah the dynamics of two roommates–one an irritable slob, the other a neat freak. 

I was thankful the teacher of his acting class gave Micah the role of Oscar. It seems he is naturally inclined to play him—well, with a little practice anyway.

A few days ago, in the early morning light of our sunroom, we’d started rehearsing.

“Micah, you’re doing great!” I’d said encouragingly. “Your expression is good but remember—try to be irritable–not so loud and angry for every line.” He’d growled his lines like he was the Beast (from Beauty and the Beast), a role he’d passionately and repeatedly told me he wanted to play.   

“Mom, stop! I know, I know!” He was still in Beast-mode. “Can we just start over?”

“Of course!” Who was I to deny him another go-around? Practice makes perfect!

Now, in what feels like half a theater-in-the-round (the audience is on just two sides), I sit comfortably in my audience chair, Todd beside me. As he begins, I can sense my son’s confidence. He is prepared and eager to perform.

Micah does not garble his words. He speaks slowly, clearly, expressively—yes, with strong irritability, but without the Beast-like quality. I can’t help but be proud of his timing and the way his deep loud voice commands the audience’s attention, drawing laughs in all the right places after his exaggerated sighs, huffs, and gestures.

How wonderful it must be for him to know this response, to experience the amazing feeling of connecting with an audience. I know he possesses great joy being on that stage, and I think about how all kids, who are interested in theater acting, should have this opportunity. I am thankful Micah has been given a chance to show what he can do this evening.

The scene, just a few minutes long, ends. The audience claps.

Felix leaves the stage, but Oscar stays and takes a deep, theatrical bow–

savoring one more laugh from the audience.

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