One thing that all the kids were involved in this Summer was a production of Peter Pan put on by Western Washington University - part of their Summer Stock series. M&N were originally cast to be in it (M as a lost boy, N alternating as a lost boy and as Michael), but they lost one of the lost boys and the director (Jim Lortz) happened to see S and asked if she'd be interested in being a lost boy (many of the lost boys were girls) and so all three of them were in.

The first two weeks were all rehearsals, and heavy ones, something like 5-6 hrs a day. Since the rehearsals were here on campus I was able to join them for lunch breaks, though they didn't really want to hang out with me much after the first day, when they'd had times to make new friends.

After the rehearsals they did two shows a week for about a month and a half (July 8th - Aug 18th), all outdoor shows, all over Whatcom County. They were very popular, with mainly large audiences. Except for a couple of times when S was tired before a show all three of the kids were very positive and happy - they knew their lines (for the most part) and enjoyed being on stage.

This was their summer camp this year. Jim (the director) said they'd never had crowds this large for their plays and will probably do more family shows in the future.

And tomorrow they are going to be acting in a production of their own, a play created by the kids in it and co-written by H and myself (and directed/produced by H). This is part of H's Kids At Play scheme. All the kids are really excited about it, though it has been a bit stressful for H and myself.

Three more days till I leave for NY. I just signed up to be part of a line of people who will be representing the unemployed in America. Sometimes I get a little nervous when I start thinking about this trip, but mostly I'm excited about it.