Will this make sound a drama queen?

[Canthaveitall]

DS aged 5 attends a drama class weekly (not in school)_which he loves. They are doing a play for the end of term and all the children have speaking parts. It's a well known story tailored to the children and my son has a part involving 3 lines. My son doesn't want to say one of the lines and is getting very upset about it. It's a light hearted joke about him farting (yes I know but he is 5!). He has been in tears saying he doesn't want to do the play. He can't get that people are laughing at the joke and not him. Seeing as he spends 99% of his time laughing about bodily functions you would think he would be OK but apparently not .

SO WIBU to say something to the teachers or will they have me down as creating a mountain out of a fart?

No harm in having a word. You don't have to go in there all demanding. Just have a chat and see what they say.

If he's getting that upset, you could have a light hearted chat with the teacher, just telling them what's been going on out of the children's ear shot; this would then give the teacher a heads up to what's been happening at home, and let them decide whether to switch round a few lines or just talk about it as a group. Don't make it a big deal, more of a 'you'll never guess what DS is getting worked up over, I've tried talking to him but he's working himself up so I thought I should let you know.'

Could you warm him up to the idea by having him tell some jokes to the family at home, or showing him some comedy shows of a similar vein?
Ultimately if he will be too distressed, then I suppose you should ask for him to sit this one out, or take another part if possible.

Thanks. Yes I have tried explaining it's not a laugh at him and it's the same as when he tells a joke. He is such an outgoing little boy and I don't want to knock him. I rather dramatically imagined him as an adult telling me he still recalls the time I made him stand on stage saying a line which made it look like he had farted.

YANBU, it's worth a shot, surely the whole play doesn't hinge on that one line?

He's a bit young to be trying to teach him how to get through being the centre of attention delivering a funny line.

I remember at the same age getting upset at doing something all the family laughed at but thinking they were all laughing at me. It's difficult to explain that yes they are laughing at you but they're not laughing at you at you.

He is too little to be able to make the distinction between people laughing at the joke and people laughing at him. I have taught Y6 kids that couldn't cope with this situation and I would always swap the line if they couldn't say it. The worst thing would be to do nothing and have tears and a big puddle on the stage during the performance.

'The worst thing would be to do nothing and have tears and a big puddle on the stage during the performance'

Awww

I first trod the boards dahling at 3 YO, went on and pulled my socks up before wandering off

If it makes you feel any better, the only things I regret from that age, were the things that I didn't do 'cause I was too soft and no-one gave me the push to overcome my fears.

Well I disagree. He will get a reputation as a diva and the Hollywood offers will dry up, just look what happened to Katherine Heigl... Poor lamb. Have a quiet word with them.