MARY POPPINS, JR.

 For the past 7 months Iberville Theater,

which is also a part of WE ARE THE DIFFERENCE,

has worked on putting on a child's theater play,

MARY POPPINS, JR.

Rhonda, our director and Alicia, music director 

and myself have worked tirelessly with these children.

Some came to us, never having been in any theater performance before.

Others came with some experience.

It was a big cast and getting all players to a 

twice a week practice all together was almost impossible.

Rhonda worked tirelessly on schedules to try and

incorporate the schedules of very busy children and parents.

I honestly don't know how she does it all.

It is finally time for the performance.

Practice on stage began Wednesday night with 

dress rehearsal....

We were all a bit worried.

As I said, some of these children have never performed on stage.

It was also the adults first time to work out the kinks

for stage presence. 

Thursday, there was a 4 hour practice, now microphones were added.

these children, all rallied around the concept of learning

what they had to do.

Friday night..... well, they did it!

These children pulled off a performance that blew us out of the park.

As I stood in the audience to watch in case they became stuck,

I had a moment where I felt like I could cry...

To watch one child who stuttered get on that stage

and belt out his part with so much confidence and not one missed word,

the little ones, performing their little hearts out...

I could go on and on about how good theater is for children.

Although I am a helper, my work in this play was nothing

compared to what Rhonda and Alicia have done with these children.

Each child has become so important to us, 

 we have bonded with each one of them.

They will all be missed by me for sure.

Of course, I would not be called Mumsie

if I didn't brag about my own grand girl.

When she was cast as Mary Poppins she understood 

what a big deal this was going to be.

To watch her on stage, without one ounce of nervousness,

having found "her thing" 

well it was just enough to make us all so very proud of her.

Theater is so good for children and its sad

that there are not many theater groups in schools anymore.

for our Jemma Jew, she transforms on stage.

A big shout out to all of you who came to watch

Mary Poppins, the support is so necessary!