Drama classes at the three different places Brendan has taken classes, is well documented as his favorite thing ever.  Since Bren was four years old he has gone to drama camp.  Also well documents, particularly last summer’s opportunity to perform in Pippin.  This summer was the next step- two week sessions that ended with lengthy presentations.

The first was Boston Children’s Theatre’s Studio 2.  This was two weeks with kids older than him – 8 to 11 year olds.  There was one other seven year old like him.  To hear his version, he basically created his part.  The play they worked on was Aladdin.  He insisted Abu was needed and that he should be Abu.  He was.  No lines, lots of facial expressions.

Bren talked extensively about “theater in the round”- something new he learned.  He talked about new theater terms and friends.  The performance was great and included a program which he stated he loves unicorns.  There were hugs from friends and lots well wishes from the teachers.

He got to see some when we went to see the Studio 3 and 4 performances and meet up with old friends from Pippin in the weeks that followed.

The second two week camp was at Wheelock Children’s Theater.  The performance was a circus.  No one had main speaking parts but there was lots of opportunity to show off their acting.  For Brendan especially as a tightrope walker.  I got the sense there was a lot of time spent on working as a team.

So here is what I see that Brendan learned.

1. To work as a team.  He is often the kid directing on stage.  There was less of that.  Working with other kids- mostly older than him- let him be a follower and not the leader.  Something different and out of his comfort zone.

2. You don’t need lines to make your character’s impact.  His expressions as Abu were just awesome.

3.  There are lots of roles off stage that are pretty awesome- directing, lighting, costumes, drama coach.  He learned a lot from the people at both camps in these roles.

4.  Besides new friends he got to spend time with other kids like him.  There weren’t many boys (4 out of 25 in each) but everyone he was with had the same passion as him.  To see him dropped off excited to show off hie Wicked shirt while other kids were waiting to show him their Annie, Wizard of Oz and other shirts was fun to see.

There will be a lot more of these and I know Brendan will be excited to keep up with all his new friends!

Pippin Friends!