Monthly Archives: August 2016

August with Brendan

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img_4164Last summer Brendan was very busy- with summer camp, an extra show, a short movie and then starting a new professional show just before school started. It was a lot but he loved every minute. That show was the first of three professional shows Brendan was part of during the school year, in addition to five shows with 4th Church. Bren asked that after Studio 3 ended if he could not have anything planned so that he could do auditions (including going to New York). So August was dubbed “camp Mom.”

img_4100In addition to the audition trips to New York (which were very fun!) we spent a bunch of time hanging out. Mostly Brendan really wanted to play in his room, create shows, design costumes, work on hair styles on me and just generally be creative. Occasionally I got him go out to lunch with me (99 is a fave) a few times. It was very chill and fun to hang out. He loves to shop too! And a favorite outing…pedicures!

Aidan’s Summer Camps

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Aidan had a summer full of learning and interesting things. Some programs were new and others were places he had been before. Some he really enjoyed, others not as much. But like Aidan always does, he made the best of each opportunity.

IMG_3727IMG_3721Aidan started his summer at MIT. He loved last summer’s classes there and this year chose Mobile Game Design. He had a great teacher and created some fun games!

 

IMG_3814Then he went to Northeastern for two weeks. He was chosen to participate in a middle school program through the Center for STEM education. He had to apply, write and essay and have his teachers send recommendations. 32 students were chosen from 500 applications! The focus of the two weeks was building a sustainable city. At the end of the two weeks the groups presented their cities to family and friends both through presentations and posters. The topics included solar power, wind, water, optimal transportation methods and more. ThIMG_3809ere will be opportunities for the students to work with Northeastern in the future too.

At BC High Aidan took a Scratch course. He had worked on the program before and really enjoyed it. Having a week to focus on coding and building projects was a real highlight. As was playing Pokemon Go during breaks!

The last camp Aidan participated in was at the Museum of Science. He has gone to camps there in the past but this year was his most disappointing. The class focused on designing projects and experiments like they do in the museum, which he found interesting. Unfortunately not all the participants were as engaged as Aidan was and that frustrated him.

Overall it was a pretty good summer of learning and lots of time mixed in for some fun too!

New York City

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IMG_3910We knew the day would come that Brendan and New York City would meet. We talked about a family trip in lieu of a birthday party (but planning and a date are still up in the air).

I saw several casting calls looking to cast the youngest boy in the Fun Home tour. I mentioned it to Brendan but with Show Boat and Into the Woods going on there didn’t seem a good time to work on a submission (they were taking videos). But after the third post and an addendum that the original submission could be any song, I sent in Bren’s materials. He was asked to submit a video with a specific song and sides from the show and thankful BCT helped us!

He didn’t get a call for the show but the agent who submitted the original posting asked if Bren would be interested in other auditions. Of course he said yes! He has gone twice to New York- once with me and once with Chris- just for the day, taking the bus.

To say he loved it would be an understatement. He had to find all the theaters and shows he listens to. He had to see Times Square. He had to keep his eyes peeled for actors he might know. And funny enough he saw two Show Boat cast members!

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He didn’t get call backs for either show but he had a great experience. And if anything else comes up he is starting to understand what to expect.