A Life Lesson

I guess most parents want to provide settings for their children that help them to find their ways to successful lives. Our plan involves having our son involved in organizations that are comprised of successful positive young people and adults. In addition to the guidance by parents, the examples offered by the peers and inspiration from the adult leaders may be the best encouragement for young people. We have been very fortunate that he is in a school, church youth group and in the Hurrah Players that all provide young people with positive encouragement to become successful people. I would like to discuss Hurrah in this light.

A young person's involvement in Hurrah brings him/her into contact with other young people who continually strive to compete and perform successfully. The rehearsals, auditions and performances serve to immerse the performers in very hard work but it is always couched in atmosphere where the focus is on improvement. Of course, there is competition to get into plays and to obtain the most desirable roles. However, competition characterizes most aspects of successful lives. Competition at Hurrah does not appear to produce feelings of defeat or ill will toward the other young actors but it does increase the desire to perform better at the next audition.

Involvement with the Hurrah Players produces increased confidence in public presentations and success in working with others. The directors of the theater, music and dance convey positive, encouraging lessons enabling the young actors to have confidence in tackling current and future goals. Participation in auditions for each play prepares them for increased success in future interviews with colleges and jobs. They learn how to respond spontaneously to sometimes unanticipated questions. Of course, first auditions can cause jitters, but the reviewing panels respond with encouragement and each additional audition becomes a little easier.

There is another important aspect to the way in which the Hurrah Players encourage success. The preparation required for a play brings the young people together in fairly intensive but mutually supportive enterprises that produce close friendships. These friends celebrate the successes of each other and this along with the encouragement of the staff provides the foundation for a well rounded successful adult.

The confidence developed in successfully completing the many auditions, performing on stage before large audiences. These activities along with the warm involvement in a positive peer culture enhance opportunity for success in future goals whether or not these goals involve theatrical performances. This training will serve these young people well in many aspects of life regardless of whether they are involved in theater or not. I am very happy that my son has developed a love of performing, close personal friendships and a sense of acomplishment through his participation in the Hurrah Players.

Garland White