By Connie Slagle
Although Summer Drama Workshop began the summer I graduated from high school, I was unaware of it until my kids were in school. We attended a play directed by Denise Green, and immediately knew it going to be Jason’s “sport.” My memories are those of a stage mom, not an actual performer, and may not be 100% accurate. Here are a few of my favorites.
Jason was in the junior high show “Once Upon a Clothesline” directed by Tal Lostracco. With his usual precision, Tal had a beautifully constructed set. Old quilts stretched across a line at the front of the stage. Jason was supposed to stand up on a block, appearing from behind that wall of quilts. Somehow as he stood up, the whole thing collapsed. There were gasps and giggles, and time stood still as I imagined Tal making repairs to the set and starting over. But no, the next second, Jason stood up again and gave his first line. And so the show began. I think Jason was teased quite a bit for the flub, although he said the edge of a quilt was accidentally placed under a block, which caused it to slide when he stood up. I was proud of him for being able to continue with a smile on his face.
My second memory was from an elementary show. Although Jason didn’t have much trouble memorizing lines, he was having a hard time with one part. We worked and worked on it. During the performance, the play’s little narrator forgot to pause for his part and moved right on to her next lines. I looked toward the back of the stage to see him standing there bewildered that his main lines were skipped. I told him he should have interrupted and delivered his lines anyway, but he said it was okay. (I think he had a crush on the little narrator, so that may have been a factor.)
My last memory involves my daughter, Jamie, in The Miser. She had a funny part as one of the three maids. She was supposed to say “Rain” as money was thrown across the stage. This line, her only line, was cut. She said she understood because it interrupted the action on the stage. But her mama was disappointed.
If you think this sounds like a bunch of negative memories from a disgruntled mom, you would be wrong. From these three experiences, my kids learned some valuable life lessons, all during a fun, secure, and positive environment.
1. When things go wrong, when you fall, and everyone is laughing, it doesn’t matter who made the mistake. Just get back up, keep going, and do the best you can. And don’t forget to smile.
2. Sometimes you struggle to do your best. Just when you feel confident and prepared, an unforeseen event stops you cold. Your “lines” are skipped. That’s when you remember all the fun you had preparing, the friendships and skills you gained along the way. Those are the best and longest lasting rewards.
3. Finally, there are times you put the good of the group above yourself. You make a small personal sacrifice to reap a greater reward for your friends or family. Jamie, for example, lost that line. But her troupe bonded and matured, and so did she. The next year she gained another single line, “Water,” receiving several acting awards as Helen Keller.
For those who don’t know, Jason – Jason Slagle – is the young man mentioned at the bottom of the Summer Drama Workshop programs. He was bright, funny, and talented, and usually got back up after a fall. If only he had worn a seatbelt, who knows what he would be doing today. Thanks to the Summer Drama organizers for remembering him each year, and parents, please teach your children all forms of safety and model them yourself.
All the world’s a stage. Bless be the tie.
SDW Alumni
If you were going to establish a Summer Drama Workshop Hall of Fame, these five individuals would be at the top of the list as inductees. (l-r) Joy Morton, Allison Johnston, Del Lewis, Hollis Horton, and Erika Montana. Hollis was on the committee that founded SDW back in 1969. Del, director emeritus, was the driving force behind the early success of the program. Joy, and her protégés, Allison and Erika, have continued the legacy and were the directors of the shows this year.
