Day Four of "Acting Camp"

It's day four of "Acting Camp" as Lucy calls it and she informed me today she doesn't want it to end. She said, "I want to go again and again!"

I got to interview "Teacher Barbara" yesterday and get some of her thoughts on working with this younger age group. I couldn't have her energy and excitement even after 6 cups of coffee. She is so animated with the kids, she reminds me of the Princess' at Disneyland with her long blonde hair and happy facial expressions. Barbara shared with me that for this particular camp Kids on Stage her goal is to introduce children to being on stage and all the fun in playing make believe and inventing characters. She said they focus on a non competitive environment where everyone gets a chance to shine on stage and through drama games .

I saw her circling up the kids and working with them on different emotions, facial expressions, and physical characteristics. I was amazed that all of the kids paid close attention and there was no need to be wrangling children from around the room as I've seen in so many other childcare situations.

Then each child sat remarkably well and took turns going up to pick out a special costume for the "Play of the Day." The costumes were colorful princess dresses and full on animal outfits with hoods and tails. The camp is co ed which is nice and I had to smile as one adorable little boy chose a  dragon costume with some princess accessories. He was a fierce dragon, though, no doubt about it! My daughter of course picked a huge princess dress and then her little crew took the stage. Teacher Barbara led them through a story and encouraged them to act out all the motions and activities that they had suggested. Each child had a character. My child was "Stawberrella".

I loved to see how creative the kids were as they ran and jumped and said their lines. I couldn't help but beam with pride watching every tiny action Lucy made. I was already planning her Disney tour and spin off sit com where in true Billy Rae Cyrus fashion I would play her comedic but hot mom! How can you not watch the play of the day and be thinking "wow..my kid is so awesome! Look at how she picks those imaginary strawberries with such conviction!" Ok..somebody stop me.

I politely excused myself and ended up chatting with another mother from the class. Her child is already a working professional in the industry so I couldn't help myself but ask for some numbers of some good photographers. After all, since Lucy's in Acting Camp now it'll be time for her to get a job so Mommy can go to Barbados! I'm sure glad Kids on Stage has classes for all age groups. I'm signing her up till she's 18 or goes to Broadway, whichever comes first!

Check out some of the photos and info here on the older kids camps. They look very impressive and from my homework it appears many of their students indeed have gone on to become professional actors. But I'm sure they all remember "The Play of the Day" from Kids on Stage fondly.

www.kidsonstage.com

Call me Mama Rose!

Confessions of a Stage Mother Call Me Mama Rose!

Kids on Stage Camp Day 1

Ok I admit it. I never thought I'd be enrolling my 3 year old daughter in camp of any kind. I had pictured her taking the summer off from pre school and having mommy and me time dancing in my kitchen and doing art projects while basking in the glory of toddler hood! Then I woke up! Any mom of a toddler knows that is what single people think or people who don't live with a running, dancing, screaming jumping,mess making child who needs constant stimulation. I had one week of Lucy home from Pre School and immediately starting researching "Enrichment Activities" for summer" i.e. GET MY KID OUT OF THE HOUSE. But I had to convince my husband that whatever we enrolled Lucy in would be worth the investment financially and good for her mind, body and spirit.

Now I have a confession to make. As a mom of two daughters and a former "Thespian" in a past life, I will do anything to avoid soccer. Call me selfish, call me smart. Soccer may be as cute as any sport but frankly I don't want to spend the rest of my weekends schlepping around field to field sitting in the hot sun screaming while eating stale sandwiches. I knew my mom was onto something when she enrolled me in ballet. It's one class a week and one recital a year. Brilliant and Mommy friendly. Yes!

So as I naturally transitioned into wanting to do more my mom put me in theater camp just like Kids On Stage. One session with all the stage games, fun teachers, performance costumes and I was hooked. Our first production was "Alice in Wonderland" starring 108, yes 108 children and I was a Caterpillar. I had one line. There were 9 Caterpillars but we didn't care. We each had the most important line according to our mothers. Every one of those kids had a shining moment. We were all "Butterflies" that weekend.

When I first heard about Kids on Stage camps I immediately assumed this would be something for later on down the line. When I checked out the website I was overjoyed to find out they actually have a camp and kids that are 31/2 and up can participate.

I did a lot of homework looking at other camps and comparing everything from prices, staff, times and reputation. I contacted friends who had children graduate from Kids on Stage and they had nothing but great things to say about their experience.

When you live in a town like LA there's a performance or theater camp on every corner. How would you ever choose?I looked at things like Kids on Stage having an over 25 year history. That says a lot right there.I liked the fact that their staff answered every single one of my questions and were very encouraging and unpretentious. I'm not trying to get my kid on American Idol. I just want her to have fun and participate in some activities that would teach her about the wonderful things theater and music have to offer. I have plenty of time later to get her into all that other stuff. But what Kids on Stage was offering me for Lucy's' age is a fun filled week of art, theater games, singing and performances everyday called "Play of the Day." I knew that the teacher student ratio would be awesome and everyday each kid would come home feeling like a star.

It's only been one day as I sit here writing this. One added bonus I didn't count on was that Lucy would be so extremely excited and tired. I'd get an extra hour of her napping. It's now 5:00pm and she's still asleep in her room with her performing scarf she's been carrying around. I had never left Lucy anywhere from 9:00-2:00pm Let me tell you it's a whole new sense of happy freedom! Try it, Mom! You'll thank me later!

She met Teacher Barbara and the staff this morning and I loved that one of the three owners of the whole company, Eve, was there to greet each mom. I know this can be scary for some moms to drop their kids off to strangers. I found the staff extremely welcoming and friendly. Of course I don't have this problem. I got in a fight with Lucy because she's already turned into a teenager and didn't want me "Walking in with her!" She's already embarrassed of me? She ain't seen nothin yet!

The camp size was small and there were several instructors helping each kid design a name tag. Lucy informed me that she had a really good time on day one.When I asked her exactly what she did she informed me she was having vocal problems and that"her voice" wasn't able to tell me about right then. Well I knew it went well because I didn't get any calls from the Teachers telling me to pick her up so we're off to a good start.

My favorite moment was when I picked up Lucy and she was dancing on the sidewalk with excitement. I asked the teacher how she did and with a big smile on her face she said "Lucy did great. She's more...um...free.....spirited" I know the code! Every mom knows that code for "She's fun but she can't follow directions!" She also said she heard my daughter singing an Elvis Presley song in the bathroom and she was very impressed. The stage mother in me beamed. I took my little "Thespian" home and she was asleep in no time flat. One day down and 4 more to go !

I'm already wishing it was 2 weeks. Just call me Mama Rose! For more info check out www.kidsonstage.com

Clean Comedy in Playa Vista, CA June 4th - Great Food & Fun For Everyone

To all my Los Angeles fans, Ron and I will be performing THIS Sat., June 4th in Playa Vista. If you're in the area, please come on out, bring your friends, family, and even strangers to what promises to be a fun, CLEAN COMEDY night!

This is our press release of the event:

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Clean Comedy, Great Food, Fun for Everyone June 4th!

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Clean Comedians Kerri Pomarolli and Ron McGehee from "Last Comic Standing", "Comedy Central", "The Tonight Show" and more, will be appearing together at the "Eat Laugh Pray" event June 4th in Playa Vista, CA. Featuring stories from both their single and married life with children, this husband and wife team will certainly have you rolling in the aisles… without using any profanity.

This event is an affordable fun night for singles, families and anyone who wants to see some hilarious entertainment. Childcare is provided for $5 per child, and desserts and appetizers will be available. Suggested donation is $11 at the door.

Pomarolli says, "We travel all around the world about 30 weeks a year so this is an honor to be home on our turf making people laugh. I think our daughter's pre-school teachers will be there as well as the doctor who delivered our new baby! So we have lots of people to make fun of."

McGehee adds, "We are thrilled to provide an entertaining night for all ages that everyone can feel really great about and not be insulted or offended… plus we love free food!"

McGehee and Pomarolli have recently released their new DVD "Two Comics Walk into a Church". Their latest film, "Hollywood on Fire" is out on DVD, which also features the late Jane Russell and Pat Boone.

Pomarolli adds, "We want to really support an event like this so more people realize that clean comedy can still be hilarious and be a perfect night out for the whole family on a Sat night. Please tell your friends - we're gonna get crazy and stay up past 9:00pm!"

EVENT DETAILS:

June 4th 6:30pm

6400 Playa Vista Dr

Playa Vista CA 90045

1-877-773-4242 for more info

Kerri Pomarolli and Ron McGehee travel the world with their uproarious clean comedy act that's safe for the whole family. To view their videos and shop their store, please visit www.kerripom.com and www.funnyron.com