A Homeschooling Thespian

During my vacation from blogging (!!) this past week, I have had great news from two fabulously talented young people! Kelly McGrath , a former acting student of mine years ago, has informed me that she's just got the job of Assistant Stage Manager for her first Broadway Tour! The show , Frost/Nixon , is a dramatic retelling of the post-Watergate television interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and former president Richard Nixon and stars Stacey Keach. Not only is Kelly on top of her game right now, but she's also a committed Catholic who drags cast members to Holy Mass with her every Sunday! Congratulations, Kelly! You deserve this! Also, Hope Giambalvo, daughter of Heather Giambalvo (Doodle Acres), is now working under a Theatrical Wardrobe Union designer at the Engeman Theatre in Northport, Long Island , where I work part time. Hope is so incredibly talented at sewing and designing our homeschool production costumes, and I hear from the wardrobe mistres...

Yesterday the younger boys were treated to an up-close experience with the media arts. I had been searching for a tour of a television studio, since James (age 11) seems fascinated with technology! A recent trip to our local cable news network definitely piqued his interest, but at that time we were unable to see the studio as some late-breaking news had priority over our tour (imagine that!). Well, thanks to a close friend at one of the three major networks, James and Joseph (age 5) were able to accompany me and an old friend with her two boys into NYC yesterday to be on the set of a new reality show! How exciting! Of course I can't share any details, except we were only used as extras and the show will air sometime during the winter. But the value of the experience for the children was priceless! The boys were so curious about the cameras, mikes and other technology; they especially liked the fact that everyone on set had little walkie-talkies to talk to each other! The P...