to think this is unfair?

[alexandre]

DD's class always perform a musical at the end of their school time. She is obsessed with musical theatre, goes to external classes, can sing and dance, has an amazing memory for lines etc. and has literally been looking forward to this moment for the last 7 years.

She came home from school yesterday after the parts had been given out and she has been given a part with 1 line in it consisting of 6 words.

She is absolutely devastated, I can't describe how upset she is.

The other children in the class (even those who can't sing at all) have been given solo singing parts and multiple parts all with lots of lines. She wasn't expecting a main part but in contrast, the main characters are on stage throughout and have up to 13 solo songs to sing.

She is the only one who has more or less been left out. I really feel for her.

I have tried to persuade her that it doesn't matter and she should still do her part to the best of her ability (and maybe she can stand in for the others if someone is away in rehearsals) but she feels so gutted.

Should I say something to the school or leave it be (That's life!)?

maybe she isnt as good as she (and you) believe her to be! despite the 'external' lessons??

she needs to learn how to handle disapointment.life is full of it

Hmm it isnt unreasonable to be upset for her but how do you know who can sing and who cant? Also maybe they have other skills or the teacher wanted to give them a bit of confidence?

I dont suppose it would do any good ot talk to the teacher now as she cant switch roles - maybe you could ask if dd could be understudy for someone?

Maybe her teacher is trying to encourage less able/confident children?

Of course she will have to learn to live with disappointment, but maybe her teacher could explain things a little..

PS Are there no youth drama classes that culminate in shows each term in your area? It seems extreme she's been waiting 7 years !

It's a That's Life moment IMO. still feel sorry for her though.

I didn't say she was "good". She is average, no better or worse than the majority but very keen.

But she seems to have been singled out for exclusion. It's the singling out part that upsets her as she is the only one in the class to have been excluded.

But I agree she needs to learn how to handle disappointment, that's why I ask the question.

it's awful, you feel their pain.
But it's the schools decision who they put in what role.
There could be lots of reasons why they have done it. She might not be as good as you think(sorry) or they might want to give it to some kids who need boosting.

I would ask the school if it will make you feel better.You might get an answer you don't like. but it might make you understand why

How many in the class, are you sure she is the only one left out?

YABU.

You sound like a typical pushy-mum, sorry. I'm sure that all the parents of children who didn't get a starring role are cheesed off. My mum used to be annoyed when I didn't get chosen as Mary every nativity, but c'est la vie.

Are you sure that some of the main characters in the show have 13 solo songs to sing? that sounds like an awful lot for an 11 year old to cope with.

I'm sure your dd is probably exagerating tbh and that she is probably far from the only one with only a one-line part.

That's just life I'm afraid, and if she ever wants to do anything re singing/dancing it's something she'll get used to.

Perhaps the teacher wanted to give others the opportunity to try out a role as most probably dont do similar activities outside of school whereas your daughter does it regular.

So what if some of the other children cant sing, its an end of term school production not broadway. You sound very pushy and, from the OP, sounds like the teacher has made a good decision.

cupcakes,on first read I thought OP sounded a bit pushy, but once she said DD was average and I re-read it, it seems a bit more balanced. OP is asking shall I just take a "thats life" attitude?

YABabitU. Our dd loves to perform (at home) but she has a shocking singing voice. She was given one of the lead roles in her school play a couple of years ago. Her teacher had given it to her to build her confidence up. It didn't give her any more confidence, in fact I think she lost a bit when people tittered at her screeching. Poor old girl.

YAB completely U

This is school stuff - it's not about who can 'do it' or not, it's about them all taking part. It doesn't matter if they can sing or not! It's about being part of the school community.

Presumably she gets other opportunities to show off her abilities in these outside classes, which is more what they are about.

Also there is no way to sort this really is there without she and you seeming awfully brattish! What are you going to say - "my daughter wants to be on stage more" There's no gracious way of saying that! If your daughter wants more involvement she can offer to do backstage stuff

If she's really the only one to have been left out, then ask the teacher about it.

Are you sure though that she hasn't been badly behaved in class and so lost out on the big parts as punishment?

my ds is very confident and in the school choir and never gets lines or solos...

maybe the teacher knows that your daughter knows she is good and wants some of the others to get the same confidence by giving them a boost?

ive been to school do's where its always the same kids doing stuff and they start to get full of themselves and annoying..