Memories - Sparked by Wolf Trap Opera Company's Family Day: Behind the Curtain

Guest post from Kim Rottschaefer, Wolf Trap's publc relations intern -

Some think it is impossible to trace a lifestyle or career path to one defining moment. While reflecting on my road to this internship at Wolf Trap, I disagree. I grew up with an intense interest in the arts, and immersed myself in the arts as much as I could on my own. In fact, my friends and family were often subjected to many household productions of Les Misérables or Phantom of the Opera starring my very own Barbie dolls, thanks in part to the creative talents of my siblings.

Despite the fact that I always held this interest, I distinctly remember my first real hands-on experience in the performing arts – I was eight years old and performing as a cast member in my school district’s production of The Wizard of Oz. Now, I wasn’t playing the role of Dorothy, the Wicked Witch of the West, or even the Cowardly Lion. Rather, I had the incredibly important supporting role of “Munchkin.”

Yes—I stood on stage behind the lights, adorned in an adorable colorful costume, and, while holding a gigantic sunflower, I sang “follow the yellow brick road…”

This one moment may not appear grand and life-changing. However, experiencing the arts in such an authentic and hands-on way truly hooked me. From there, I learned how to incorporate the arts into my life in a way that works for me—not always performing, but always supporting. I am now in graduate school studying arts management, so that I can continue to play a supporting role for arts organizations. My internship here at Wolf Trap is one more step in that direction.

This memory came to mind after learning about Wolf Trap’s upcoming Family Day, Behind the Curtain. Coming up this Monday, August 16 at 10am, Behind the Curtain gives children and their families an opportunity to see the Wolf Trap Opera Company’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream from the backstage perspective. Children will stand on stage under the lights and see the sets and costumes, tour the backstage of the Barns, and make masks of their favorite animal. This is all followed by lunch with the other participants and performing artists of the 2010 Wolf Trap Opera Company – the Filene Young Artists.

You never know what your child’s defining moment will be. My parents never knew that one experience would affect me so much; they simply gave me the experiences that seemed right at the time. Behind the Curtain is an event for the whole family, and a great way to introduce and incorporate the arts into your child’s life. Tickets are required. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!