Truly Remarkable

This morning I joined Kate and Joe to watch Ellie's performance as Toto in the Wizard of Oz. Produced by the wonderful staff at "Applause for Kids", a local program associated with The Atlanta School of the Performing Arts, it was a truly remarkable performance by twenty great kids. These kids rehearsed for two hours every Saturday for 12 weeks to deliver one wonderful experience for their parents and special guests. Ellie has been attending this program for nearly three years and she consistently improves with each performance. Today was especially challenging because as Toto she had a predominately non-speaking part (aside from a few barks here and there), spent much of the program on padded knees following Dorothy around (played to perfection by Parker Whitlow)and had to try to avoid being kicked as she maneuvered around the various dance routines. She was amazing and everyone said she absolutely stole the show. I of course agree, but then as Ellie's Dad I have little choice but to agree. Jennifer Salberg, the founder of "Applause for Kids" is a professional actor who had a dream about creating a school of performing arts for children and made that dream come true with Applause. She has a powerful personality that projects confidence and enthusiasm and engenders those traits in the the children that attend her programs. She and her very small, but very talented staff create four Broadway shows simultaneously, training 80 children over 12 weeks and delivering four shows over a 24 hours period (one last evening and three over the course of today). In addition, they promote "Curtains Up" a program focused on 45 foster children in Conyers, Georgia. The performances are all being held at the Northwest Presbyterian Church, a lovely venue and great for Jennifer since her school was muscled out of it's Roswell Road location by Ace Hardware earlier this year. Hats off to all the children and Jennifer and her team for a super show.