As teachers, directors, parents … anyone who teaches anyone anything really, there is a time to release yourself and hand over the reins. It was time for me to let the boys own whatever was going to happen. It was THEIR showcase, THEIR senior year, THEIR final moment in the department.

I think about it and I can still feel the chills running down my arms, the cramps from standing on my tiptoes the entire time and my eyes watering from not blinking. Not once.

The magic of a technical rehearsal, the first orchestra rehearsal, a dress rehearsal … that is the energy I miss… I had convinced myself that it wouldn’t happen on Zoom. How could it?

I have been teaching for almost ten years and I am still overwhelmed by small children.

Recently there have been a lot of snaps, ‘me too’s’ and heart emojis flying around the Zoom chat. They have started to listen and be compassionate.

Take that sixth grade boil and add one part zoom school, one part drama class that is being forced on them and two parts fear of judgement from peers. That is one messy fear of commitment stew.

She never let anyone dictate who she was supposed to be offstage. Why did I think any pre-conceived notions of this role could be forced on her? She was great in the role in a unique Alyssa way. Why was I forcing this kid to fit in a box?

The first time I heard the word promposal, I guffawed.