We have seen a number of Boston Children’s Theatre shows over the years.  Both Aidan and Brendan have participated in the Studio Discovery one week drama camp for 4-6 year olds at BCT.  At a recent show Brendan heard an announcement for this summer’s drama camps and that BCT hosts birthday parties.  He insisted he do both.  And both seemed a good fit.

Katie ran his birthday party.  Jay coordinated the party and we met Jess when she brought the cake in.  All seemed very nice.  We saw Jay again the next week when Brendan participated in the Studio Discovery camp (Bren says he does not remember going at 4 years old and last year there was a timing conflict).  Bren even asked to go see Katie to say hi.  He loved camp but had two “complaints”- it wasn’t long enough (it ended at noon) and some of the “little kids” were not serious enough.  He sort of directed the final performance.  Both teachers said he was great to work with and that they enjoyed him.

The day after camp ended (Saturday), I got a call from Katie.  The Studio 3 kids were performing Pippin and they needed “a small boy” to play Theo.  Bren was recommended by a 4th Church drama friend, seconded by his new BCT friends.  He was invited to come audition the next Monday.

Studio 3 is for children ages 9-14.  Those kids auditioned to go to the camp and spent 4 weeks taking classes and preparing for their performances.  There are two casts that each perform 3 shows.  The show- and camp- take place at Governor’s Academy in Byfield (about 45-60 minutes north of Boston).  There is a bus from the BCT studios each day to and from Governor’s.

Brendan practiced for the audition and went in and did pretty well.  Before we left he was offered the part, given a script and a BCT staff member took some pictures of him.  He was so excited.  He would start the next week when Theo’s scenes would begin.  He would be in all six shows.

For 11 days in a 12 day span we put him on a bus at 7:45am not to return until sometimes 7pm.  He made tons of new “teenager friends” and quickly became the camp mascot. Everyone was so unbelievably wonderful to him.  He loved every single minute of it. He loved the kids, the staff, his costume, wearing a mic, hanging backstage- everything.  And then there were the performances!  He was great and had so much fun on stage.

The last day between performances there was an award ceremony.  He got an award for “Up and Coming Actor” an award that was described as someone to watch who will have a future in theatre and a lead in an upcoming show.  He was so proud.  He took pictures with all hist friends, received flowers and messages and was so excited to see people he knew in the audience.

Now of course he wants to audition for other shows and be on stage more.  Thankfully he will be going to another week of camp next week- Studio 1.  There won’t be a production on stage but somehow I think he will enjoy just being around BCT friends.