I thought the audition would just be to sing this little primary song in front of some Stake music leaders. I thought for sure she would want me to go in with her for moral support. Nope. She asked me to stay out and listen from outside the door. I was a little sad, but really proud at the same time. I looked inside the window of the door and realized that this was an honest and true AUDITION. If she could do this, she could do anything. There was a full panel of judges, and she had to stand right up and sing her song. She was amazing - no fear. Then they gave her a portion of Caddie Grant's part to read. She had never seen anything like this before, and there she was, reading the part like a pro. Like she knew what Caddie's character was meant to be. I was a proud mom, but I still had no idea whether she measured up to what other little girls were doing in their auditions.
Later that week, I just so happened to meet one of the "judges" that was in that room at the time. She realized who I was, and went on and on about how amazing Kylie was, and how they were blown away by her audition. She said that everyone was wondering where she came from. She told me that she was sure that Kylie would have a role in the play, but that nothing had been decided yet. I was thrilled for Kylie and so impressed that she could do so well with little preparation. Kylie is very talented, but has also been very shy in the past. She loves to sing, dance, and act, but if you ask her to perform for anyone - there is no way. Just on stage, far away from the audience at a recital. But never with a small group of eyes staring at her. I was so excited that she challenged herself, and really enjoyed the process. I was excited at the fact that this could be the start of many auditions to come in the future. Maybe this would build her confidence so that she could participate in fun church and school activities in the future.
Many weeks went by and we heard nothing. Finally we got an email about a call back for the part of Caddie Grant. In the description of Caddie, it mentioned that she was a six year old girl. I was a little discouraged, wondering how Kylie would fit this role. When we got to the call back, there were three other younger girls there. I wondered how this would all work out. This time Kylie was asked to sing Caddie's actual song from the play and she was well prepared. Once again, she got right up there and sang. She read the lines for Caddie and did amazing. Each of the girls auditioning were amazing. I was very impressed with the talent of all of these young girls. We went home and waited to hear something.
We waited a few more weeks before we heard anything. One day I discovered an email from the director with a cast list for the play. Kylie was given a leading role! We realized then that there were two young girls needed for the production. Caddie Grant was six, and Bodil Mortensen was to be played by a young girl. Kylie was going to be playing Bodil Mortensen, a young Danish girl who came across the plains with the Mormon pioneers. She was traveling with Jens and Elsie Neilson. These are actually real people that left behind journals from their experiences coming across the plains to the Utah valley. The story is amazing, and Kylie was going to be a part of it. I was so excited for her to have this chance to develop her talents, really experience how a production is put together, and strengthen her testimony of the gospel - all at the same time!
They spent the next few months putting it all together. It started with just the music, then small groups rehearsing lines from specific scenes, to larger groups, and eventually the whole cast together learning choreography and everything. The whole thing was so awesome to watch. Since I was her transportation, I got to witness all of it first hand. It strengthened my testimony probably more than hers. Next time a Stake production comes around, which is usually every other year, our entire family will be participating. I don't have the singing and acting talent - but they always need people in the background. :)
I will never forget the first dress rehearsal and the amazing set and scenery. Watching Kylie put on her costume for the first time, and realizing what an amazing opportunity this was. I watched all of the four performances and cried a little almost every night watching her up on that stage. We have so many talented people in our Stake, and it felt like a professional production. I know the spirit of our pioneer ancestors where there and you could feel it. Some of the stories in the play were captured in a movie that came out a few weeks later, 17 Miracles. We went and watched it together as a family and Kylie was excited to see the real story of Bodil Mortensen, as she was a character in the movie. I am thankful that people keep journals so that their experiences and testimonies can be shared with others.
Here are many pictures from the entire journey....
PRACTICING
PERFORMING
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