school play angst

[Labro]

Ds is in yr 6, they are performing a musical version of a shakespeare play at the end of term with the year 5's. He is having sleepless nights about it! They have started extra rehearsals, losing breaktimes and missing favourite lessons, hes insistent he doesn't want to be in it, his part is 'embarrassing' and is crying himself to sleep over the 'stupid' moves they are being asked to do. I'm at a loss, the parts were allocated completely randomly, he's expected to be a 'sprite' who dances silly which is so not him, which is where the problem lies. Hes been really mature and spoken to his teacher about this over riding embarrassment but shes just brushing it off. What can I do to help him as hes adamant hes not doing it!!

I think you need to help him find a "silly" dance that he's comfy doing. I don't think it's good to let him away with it and I am an introvert.

Help him find some movements that aren't daft...but still fulfill the role.

unfortunately the teacher has created the dance moves, so there is no way of changing them. He was even saying last night that he's too fat and his head is too big to do this (he's not fat but the others in his group are tall thin build) He'll still be doing it, could do without the distress.

If the teacher won't see reason just have him be off sick and miss the play. She sounds like a silly cow.

Talk to the teacher, your son has spoken to her but I am sure if she realised that she was causing him sleepless nights a change could be made.

Perhaps if you explained that he is now losing focus on SATs, that might be more than enough to move her to reconsider your son's plight!

I have worked a lot with DC and drama...I would NEVER make a child do something he or she was uncomfortable with.

I think you should make an appointment with the teacher, tell her it's giving him nightmares and she can jolly well find him a smaller, less "silly" role.

Those roles go well with DC who enjoy playing the clown....not shyer ones.

Just go and explain to the teacher that he is really upset about it all, as Latte says she probably doesnt realise quite how upset he is.

Or you know, go with learnandsay and teach your child that lying is the way to get out of things.