The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Staley's Stage Kids class this semester culminated in their production of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever".  If you are not familiar with this Christmas story, it is the story of 6 rough-around-the-edges bullies in a town who inadvertently come to church and take all the main roles in the church Christmas pageant, bringing a new perspective to the Christmas story.  It has always been one of my favorite books, and the play was fabulous.

The cast

Staley was cast as Gladys Herdman, the youngest of the bully family.  It was a big part.  She had about 15 lines and cues to memorize, which was by far her biggest role in any production so far.  She nailed it!!

Gladys Herdman

I helped Staley learn her lines.  I knew she had them memorized.  I knew she had lots of funny lines and big lines in the play.  I knew she would do well, but she surpassed my high expectations.  She truly stole the show.  She projected.  She was easy to understand.  She hit all her lines and cues.  At the first performance, the girl playing the pageant narrator mixed up a few of her lines which caused confusion for Staley as the cues were wrong, but she went with it and it worked out fine.  The next performance was flawless.

Gladys as the angel of the Lord in the pageant

After the play, many people had glowing things to say about Staley's performance.  Several people who didn't know her asked if she's really ornery at home.  She must have been a good actress since loud, mean, and ornery are very different than our Staley.

Staley had so many people come to watch her perform.  She had cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends, teachers.  It was so fun for her to have so many supporters in the audience.

I had gotten 2 extra tickets and told Staley she could invite whoever she wanted.  She wanted to invite her first grade teacher and his wife.

Staley's Kindergarten teacher also came with her daughter.  Staley has been so blessed with wonderful teachers!

She had grandparents in the audience...

aunts...

Zach's aunts and cousin came

as well as my aunt and 2 of my cousin's kids.

Staley always loves having her cousins in the audience.

And friends too.

My friend from work even came with her son.

Stage kids has been such a blessing for Staley.  She LOVES to perform, and her director has continued to trust her with bigger roles.  Staley was the youngest kid in this production, but she has made so many friends.  The older kids truly look out for her, and she always looks forward to going to class.  It's like a family.

Staley with Miss Kelleen, her director/teacher

Two of Staley's good friends from class, Anna and Mady.

Seeing Staley shine on stage was a Christmas highlight for the whole family.  It truly was the Best Christmas Pageant Ever!!