My Daughter Auditioned For The School Play

"Mommy, there are a lot of people here. What if I forget?"

I looked around the room. Natalie was right. It was full. There had to be at least 100 people. Maybe more.

"Do your best. It's all you can do," I answered.

Natalie bit her lower lip. "What if I don't get a part and am just in the choir?"

This was a strong possibility. It looked like over 50 kids were auditioning for the school play and there were maybe 15 speaking parts, if that. The rest of the kids would go into the choir.

"Then you'll do your very best in the choir," I replied.

She leaned against me briefly. After all, she's in fifth grade and it's not as cool to snuggle with Mommy in public. But I held her close and whispered, "You'll do great. No matter what."

She shrugged and picked at her fingers.

The auditions started soon after.

Natalie was number 4. When they called her name, she took a deep breath.

"You can do it, baby girl," I said and gave her a thumbs up.

She nodded and climbed the stairs onto the stage.

I filmed her, and many of you might have already seen it.






When she was done, she rushed back to her seat.

"That was embarrassing," she whispered, cheeks a bit pink. "But fun. I got nervous. I wish I'd have danced, but there were so many people staring."

"It's okay. You did you best."

She wanted to stay and support her friends that auditioned. She clapped hard for every kid that went up there. Some walked to the stage and muttered, "I can't do this," and left. But you know what, that's fine. I couldn't do it. I hate being in front of people. Whenever I had to give speeches in front of the class, I would panic. But Natalie has so much more confidence than I ever did.

We'll find out by the end of the week what part Natalie got. And if she's just on the choir, she's okay with that. She was in school choir last year and was one of the only kids who did the arm movements with excitement.

Have you ever auditioned for anything?