Thursday Thirteen 24# : Things I Have Done As a Stage Mother

I’m off working back stage at my daughter’s dance recital. I’ve done it every year for the last five. Here are thirteen things I have done because of it.

1. Paid $10 for a $1 item. Really, I could get them at the dollar store if it weren’t against the rules.
2. Forgotten everyone’s name from last year. I’m no good with names and faces.
3. Glued flowers to tutus.
4. Hemmed the backdrop while it was hanging on stage. Actually, I knelt in front of the sewing machine and fed in canvas while someone else ran it.
5. Made “deli” meat for the cast party.
6. Provided band aides, ace bandages, flashlight shines, safety pins, make up, and entrance lines.
7. Shouted from the back of the audience.
8. Gossiped. It’s like candy – no good for anyone but hard to resist.
9. Knocked over a gong.
10. Tried to rush on stage in the middle of the performance to upright said gong.
11. Opened the curtain while the guy who was supposed to leap on stage was still changing right behind me.
12. Waited, stood around, ran around like crazy, then waited some more.
13. Been yelled at for wearing blue socks instead of black. Some of the set changes take place with the curtain open and the lights off.