Scotland, Day 7

We have learned how other schools are able to come to the Fringe.  Students in one school in Massachusetts raised $1,000 each and had to pay the remaining $5,500 themselves; another school had the students who could pay the entire amount go. Others raised $60,000 for 25 students and they had to pay the remainder themselves.  Needless to say, when our Lobos said they raised $75,000 and had to pay $1,000 each, others had a surprised look on their faces.  That's when our Lobos shared about their terrific sponsors in Santa Rosa.  We are so fortunate to have people value our students' work and to have worked so hard to get them to go.  It has paid off big time.

"The house is now opened!" The theater became quiet as I opened the doors to our customers waiting in line.  When I looked out at all the faces in line, my heart skipped a beat.  First entered an older gentleman with white hair and white beard, not a smile on his face.  He looked like a critic, but who knows?  Next came teachers from all over as well as many students.  At last minute, two people ran to make it on time.  The music had started.  I tiptoed to my chair and felt the excitement in the air.  We almost had a full house!

The audience laughed when God talked, especially when she mentioned she is an atheist.  Of course, the devil, in her sexy ways, enticed the teens in the audience.  As the plays progressed, I observed the faces of the audience.  When Barbie doll entered the stage, reaction of small recognition and connection was heard; fascination was also felt when GIJoe appeared.  The little girld jumped all over the stage reminding us of our excitement of being a little girl trying to understand the world.  The wind-up doll held the audience's attention as she walked stiffly across the stage.  The last doll danced across the stage while teens observed her with interest.  It was a moment to remember.  Of course, when Hitler/Mother Theresa appeared on stage and he/she gave Julia her gold star, we heard gasps from students.  I loved watching the students as they understood the black comedy and irony and their history.  At the end, everyone clapped enthusiastically and told us how they had loved it.  Our critic sat stone-faced so who knows what he was thinking?  Andy Paris, director from the Tectonic Theater Project and one of the original developer of the Laramie Project told Mr. Burt how impressed he was.  A staff member from American High School Theatre Festival talked to both Mr. Burt and me.  He marveled at the play and became quite enthusiastic when he learned each was written by a student.  We left on a "high."

When we returned to our coach to return to the university, the entire bus load of teachers and students clapped loudly and shared their awe over the play.  While driving, the Massachussetts students were so impressed with Andrea's play Happiness (dolls) and we all reveled in their enthusiasm for the plays.  We now hope we can repeat our performance this afternoon, our final production.

Just a little note about the importance of tea.  Our Lobos mentioned how the young mothers/fathers with their children go for tea to communicate with each other during the day. They mentioned that's what we should do in the US.  Of course, our girls now have tea in their rooms (we have a pot that boils water and are given coffee and tea as well).  They often meet in their rooms and have a pot of tea.  They're adopting a new tradition in their lives.  Isn't that just wonderful?

In the evening, we went to different plays.  Tracy and Andrea decided to go souvenir shoppin. Jonathan, Jesse (finally feels better), Juan, Patty and Jazmin saw "Barry and Stuart" (magic/comedy show).  Juan was asked to come on stage to put tape on the performer's face; Jonathan was asked to put  handcuffs  on someone.  Sofia and Madelaine went to see The American Family, the one we saw the night before.  It earned four stars.  Mr. Burt and I saw Good Death,a collaboration between Westgern Michigan University and Tectonic Theater Project.   It questioned the right to die and followed the work of Dr. Jack Kevorkian (Dr. Death).  It received a five star rating.  We all met on the bus home that night - surprise!  Full of excitement.