Roadies for Life

I’ll be honest, I wasn't sure my Bishop knew what he was doing when he called me to direct the youth in their road show production. I mean really… I’m like a "0" on the creativity-o-meter. I’m definitely more left brained (analytical) than right brained (creative). And, my only connection with the youth in the ward has been substituting every once in a while in early morning seminary. So, you can imagine my shock and dismay at being called to not only write but direct 40+ kids ranging from 12-18 years old in a production (even though in the end it will only be 7 min long).

Well, I have to admit that I stand corrected. Apparently both my Bishop and Heavenly Father knew what they were doing when I got this calling. Needless to say, it has been a pretty rough month for me. But each Wednesday night these kids end up being the highlight of my week. The boys will do anything for me, including shaking their hips in the Macarena as they dance their way on stage (which for some took a little cajoling to do - See the little boy with glasses in the picture? He's 12 and about 4'5" and I'm finally getting him to shake it like nothing else). And the girls, well they love just being the quintessential cheerleaders. My friend Jen, who was a cheerleader in HS is helping me out with them since I don't know anything about cheerleading. The fans, I've got the kids in the spirit, yelling at each other across the room in the chant-off (part of the script... and I told them it is the only time I will ask them to yell in church). My football players humored me and choreographed their very own haka dance as the come on stage. Our little Joseph B. Wirthlin (his stage name) even took a knee to the head last night from another football player when he was on the bottom of the pile and ended up with a huge knot on the back of his head but took it like a champ.

Someone knew what they were doing because for 2 hours each week I can shut my brain off and not think about anything else but letting the kids have fun in their production.