r/MadeMeSmile • u/astral12 • Jul 29 '24

Little girl performs by herself Good Vibes

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u/fugue-mind Jul 29 '24 edited Jul 29 '24

He only looks about 4. He's not at an age where this will teach him anything about "overcoming". More likely he will just have permanent stage fright moving forward, will never want to perform again, and just have a vague memory of terror on a stage from his youth lol

In general I agree with you, it's just not a lesson this kid is remotely equipped to learn from

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u/Renegade_Mermaid Jul 29 '24

From someone who has been on stage a lot, as well as taught children’s theater classes for several years, my take would be to have someone from backstage accompany him. It would likely only take a little bit of coaxing to assure him he’s supported, to the point he would feel confident continuing by himself. And even if it didn’t, what is more important - the performance or the child?

Everyone will have a different view on this, but as a theater nut, I’d truly hate to see a child lose their interest in the arts because adults were worried about coddling or supporting. Being on stage is SCARY. I have done dozens of shows and I still get a gut sinking feeling before I go on. You’re vulnerable, exposed. Even in a sea of people, you’re putting yourself out there in a very real spectacle-esque way. People have come to watch you do everything you learned. It’s a live test in front of strangers.

To me, this experience will solidify as pure embarrassment and he won’t easily recover. Plus, this forms distrust of those who prepared him for this (all adults involved). Kids aren’t circus animals. Sure, it’s important to continue the show, and that is a very real principle to be learned, but at this age, he’s likely deciding that this is something he will NOT want to do again, especially if forced. And it’s a shame, because arts education and involvement supports so much else both developmentally and academically. And socially, theater and dancing already lacks a strong interest from boys. This is a loss all around and hard to watch.

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u/hyena_dribblings Jul 29 '24

Lol I was a theater nerd from high school into my 20s. I finally gave it up because I couldn't shake that feeling you described all too well, and it started turning into chest pains and panic attacks before shows.

Definitely not the sort of thing just anyone can do. This video hurt to watch because it's just playing witness to what might be the worst day in someone's life, during a highly formative period in their life to boot.

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u/Renegade_Mermaid Jul 29 '24

Precisely. And it might just be me, but this happens more often than not with the performing arts. I'm so sorry you separated from it, but it sounds like it was the best decision for you. No one should feel like that in an activity that is supposed to be enjoyable. :(

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u/hyena_dribblings Jul 29 '24

100% agree! Sometimes you just have to know when you're licked. It's still a great hobby and I do like to write still, and I chip in with lighting and sound from time to time but my days of being on stage are done I think. Fine by me. :)

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u/Renegade_Mermaid Jul 29 '24

Um, lighting and sound are SUPER important. I have nothing but respect for techies. We actors are nothing without a spotlight and a microphone! 👏🏼🩷 I love that you’ve found your niche within the community.

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u/hyena_dribblings Jul 29 '24

Oh, yeah. A production's the sum of its parts! Not just speaking parts! ;)