mountaintop mondays

At long last, we are in the final week of the “Little Shop of Horrors” theater camp. Only four more days until curtain time.

Micah has all of his lines memorized and has delivered them with expression and gusto during rehearsals. He is still a little shaky on the choreography, but I think he’ll have it down by showtime. I snuck a video of everyone performing the routines so we can practice them at home. A mom’s got to do what a mom’s got to do.

I’ve hung around week-long theater camps, but never one this long where kids work on a three-act production. At times, I’ve worried that perhaps Micah was getting bored as there’s been a lot of down time while others rehearse. I’ve watched him wander around during breaks while most of the others sit in groups talking and laughing with each other. He doesn’t have the social skills to strike up a conversation. If he says hi, kids are polite, but not eager to have him join in.

I sometimes wish I didn’t have to see it all.

Now, as I sit watching the dress rehearsals, I ponder whether it’s been worth it. These five weeks of gathering with other theatrical teens first in a vacant furniture store inside a sparsely populated mall, then at the performance venue.

I wonder if this experience has enhanced my son’s summer or would it have been better to have kept him with me, finding activities to do on our own?

I tend to overanalyze sometimes (just ask my husband). But this is what I’ve concluded:

It is absolutely worth it!

There are so many benefits in having Micah involved in theater. It is a way for him to develop and express his creativity and confidence, to improve his coordination and balance through the choreography, to learn what it’s like to work as a team, and, yes, to work on those social skills that, although challenging for those on the spectrum, can improve with ample opportunities to practice.

Yesterday, at the end of rehearsal, Micah’s cast filled out forms listing some of their favorite things so they can exchange small gifts with each other on opening night. Nice touch, don’t you think?

I’m so looking forward to all of the performances.

Until then, break a leg, Kiddo! I know you’ll be fabulous!