Category Archives: Nashville Children’s Theater

A Mother’s Tearful Confession: My Ginger Son Can’t Dance
8
Jul

The setting is different, but the events are always the same.

Yesterday it happened at the hair salon. I walked in the door with my five-year-old son, Luke. Before the receptionist had a chance to speak, he shouted, “Free, two, one. Hit it!” Despite my reluctance, I followed what I knew was my cue to hit “play” on my iPad as Luke began to bust a move to Daft Punk’s hit, “Get Lucky.”


Luke was instantly drunk with power. He loved the cheers and applause from everyone in the lobby. I gave him the usual thirty seconds before cutting off the music to proceed with my hair salon business.

“Good job, Luke.” I told him. “Those were some nice moves.” He remained silent, but acknowledged my complement with a super cool wink and a thumbs up.

However, there was a problem- a dirty secret I’ve never shared before. 

 (Deep breath)

My name is Lori Wescott and I don’t think my son is a good dancer. 

Man, it feels good to get that off my chest. I’m so tired of the pressure to be fake, the pressure to hide the shame. My son is a caucasian, ginger, five-year-old, overly confident dancer and I have taken the first step to his recovery. Starting August 19, 2013 Luke will be attending an all boys hip-hop dance class. 

I know I have all of your prayers and support that, with proper education, my son can have moves like Jagger. I’m no idiot. I know the odds are against us. He will most likely be hard to teach because he already thinks he’s a great dancer- a trait he acquired from his father. Only time will tell if the instructors can turn his pelvic thrusting hokey-pokey into a decent pop and lock.

The picture above was taken during one of his acting lessons at The Nashville Children’s Theater. That particular activity didn’t even call for dancing, nor was there any music playing. I’ve resigned to accept that he was born to dance. My responsibility as a parent, however, is to ensure that he doesn’t make a fool of himself at parties for years to come. 

I’ve been called a hero and a saint, both of which are true. Now, I’m also a warrior Mom. 

If you feel so inclined after reading this moving confessional, please feel free to donate to my “Let The Gingers Dance” foundation. LTGD is glad to accept donations in the form of cash, money orders, and merlot. You can put them directly in my mailbox. 

And The Tony For Best Improv Goes To…
20
Jan

Luke started acting classes at the Nashville Children’s Theater today. He’s a little outgoing so Brantley and I thought we’d throw him out there and see if we could get a return on our investment. Only time will tell. In the meantime, it was fun watching him pretend to be different things as instructed by the teacher. At one point, however, Brantley did whisper in my ear, “He does this at home for free.” “Yeah he does,” I said. “But when we’re in a theater it’s art, so shut up.”

The teacher instructed the children to have a “pretend argument” with their parents over not wanting to take a bath. Luke’s argument was pretty solid, “Pirates don’t take baaafs,” but when Brantley didn’t back down Luke thumped him squarely on the nose. Knowing full well that no one had instructed them to become physical if the situation called for it, I teared up over having just witnessed my baby’s first ever improvisation. I was one proud Mama.

Note the perfect thumping form of his fingers.
Maybe he should play piano, instead…

On the way out I slipped the teacher a five and whispered, “Put us on the Bieber fast track to fame.” So be on the look out for that to happen within the next week.