Swaton Festival (Part Deux)

I'm nearing the end of my Swaton responsibilities, but they asked me for one more before I go- MCing the annual festival for the kindergarten children. I graciously accepted the job. The festival is exciting for the children and teachers alike because it's chance for both of us to show the progress we've made this year. It's a really just an excuse to parade the cute children around in cuter little outfits but, for unknown reasons, we all feel very stressed about the success of the event. My class, being the highest level, took on a 20 minute version of "Little Mermaid." Through the many rehearsals, I felt the kids were putting unnecessary pressure on themselves and choking because of it. I wrote 'Just Have Fun' on the whiteboard each day but it didn't seem to work. The thing is, most the parents don't understand English so the play is only going to be entertaining if the children themselves are enjoying doing it. The highlights are the moments when someone falls down or forgets a line and another child yells at them. Of course, the kids, oblivious to this, are trying so hard, but it's the cute little bloopers that keep the crowd awake, sometimes. My job was actually the easiest and I was glad I didn't have to be a general helper amidst the backstage chaos. I stood next to the stage, announced each new performance, occasionally made a joke which no one in the crowd could understand and had an ideal view of the show. I could simply recite the lyrics to a Marilyn Manson song and the parents would smile, nod and clap. That's why us foreigners call this duty, "putting on the monkey suit." It doesn't matter what we say, we're just their for appearances. Oh well, you could get paid for doing much worse things. When their time came, I think my Illinois class performed brilliantly and highlighted themselves. I loved when Angry Amy pointed at me, with a fierce smirk and said, "Let's make this sea dirty like Daniel Teacher!" (I wrote that line for her, but she delivered it as if it were her own.) Ah, two weeks left, I wonder what other surprises they'll find for me before I'm truly gone.