Brendan loved being on stage in Stuart Little. We didn’t think it was possible for him to be any more smitten by being on stage, but he was. In talking to his new friends he learned that there was a way to audition for other shows and begged us to let him. The StageSource auditions are an opportunity to sing and perform a short monologue for upwards of 50 local theater companies. They keep notes, resumes and head shots and if something to comes up that an actor may be a fit for, they are in touch.

So we learned about what should go on a resume, contacted a friend to do head shots (thank you Kerry and Irish Eyes Photography!) and solicited advice for how to choose. We also found a couple of ways for Brendan to practice (thank you Ms. Shannon!). Brendan’s slot was, ironically, the same day as his speech at the Giving Voice fundraiser.

He was the only kid in his group. Nervous adults (a lot of college age students too) practiced and warmed up.  He sat with an iPad, dangling his feet (and new pink high tops). He confidently went with his group when called. From the Green Room I heard applause when he sang and laughter when he finished his monologue. Others in the Green Room commented they were happy to not go after him. The girl who did said it was the hardest audition she ever had.  Then we left and got ready for Giving Voice.

The next day I got an email from the SpeakEasy Stage Company. I had heard of them-great things- as the resident theater at the Boston Center for the Arts. The email said they were looking for a young boy for a fall show. The script included “sensitive material” and they wanted us to read it first before deciding if Bren should audition.

Chris and I read it. We couldn’t put it down. We immediately decided that not only could Bren audition, but regardless of whether he got the part, it was a show we wanted to see.

appropriate was written by a young African American playwright- Brandon Jacob-Jenkins. It won the 2014 Obie Award.

“After the death of their patriarch, the estranged members of the Lafayette clan gather at their crumbling Arkansas plantation home to mourn his loss and settle his estate.  While sifting through a lifetime of memories and junk, they make a gruesome discovery that forces them to confront their family’s dark past.  Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (Neighbors, An Octoroon) offers his own subversive take on a classic American genre for a bold new look at race and identity.”

The play involved conversations about race and the ugliness of the past. In a pivotal scene Brendan would come down the stairs in the midst of an epic family physical fight in a white hood.  I saw the play 5 times, Chris 4 and we cried each time.

There were three weeks of rehearsals and then 29 performances over the course of a month. There were long tech week nights (the first week of school!!) and two show days. But it was so worth it to Brendan and to us.

The cast was incredible. The crew was incredible. We were told by Bevin, the director, that she only worked with nice people.  It could not have been more true. They brought experience as well as humor to the show. Brendan grew so much in his love for theater, his appreciation for telling a story and really an understanding of all the things that go into a big show.  He also grew in his independence.  We would drop him off with Jessie and pick him up as his schedule called for.  We didn’t see the show until Opening Night. We couldn’t be more thankful to everyone for everything about this show.

It was a heavy show, but it was kept fun backstage. We appreciated the pictures and stories we heard from others. Above all we heard that Brendan was “professional.” He knew when it was time to have fun but also when it was time to work, take a note or be aware of his cues.  We credit all this to Boston Children’s Theatre.

To everyone who came to the show or sent well wishes- thank you.  It has been a crazy and exciting couple of months, but wow was it worth it.

For more pictures, click here.