Stage Mothers, where would we be without them?

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I know that I would not have had the opportunity to work with such amazing young actors as Ann-Houston Campbell, Lucy Turner, Audrey Belle or Colin Carswell if it were not for the support and professional cooperation of their moms (and in some case, dads - hey Steve Young!) And blessed is the young actor or actress whose parents value their children's talents enough to drive them to the auditions, rehearsals and performances that will be the building blocks their careers.

Nashville and the surrounding area seem unusually blessed in parents who are ready and willing to go the extra mile not only for their own children, but for their children's friends/colleagues as well. Without these parents, I doubt that Circle Players recent production of BAND GEEKS or Bob Pondillo's award-winning film about the issue of gay marriage, THE MIRACLES ON HONEY BEE HILL - featuring a cast of 10, 11 and 12 year olds - would have been possible.

And where would THE MOCKINGBIRD SINGS - the Harkleroad/Cort musical about the birth of country music - be with out the incomparable Donna Dorsey Russell?

For that matter, where would I be without my own mother, who let me take my first paying job as an actor at age 13 in Asheville, N.C.? Thank you, Harriet!

I predict that these show biz moms and dads are going to become even a more valuable resource as the acting industries evolve on the Nashville front, as the demand for kid friendly theatre and films increases the demand and market place for the Judy Garland/Mickey Rooney set.

There ought to be a special day for Stage Mothers!

Come to Nashville and Go to the Theatre!

Jaz Dorsey

The Nashville Dramaturgy Project
PS: Speaking of Stage Mothers, let's not leave out our Stage Grandmothers, too. If you're in NYC tomorrow night, please stop by for the free reading of Ted Swindley's STORIES MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD ME at the Sage Center, 305 7th Ave, 15th Fl., between 27th and 28th Street. The reading, produced by The Spiral Theatre Studio, starts at 7pm. Hope to see you there.