Reflection on a PGSTT Family by Marguerite Connolly

My son Matthew discovered his passion for theater as he headed into his teen years. As the oldest of my four children and as a single parent I encouraged my children to find those things they enjoyed that were close to home to cut down on driving time to drop off and pick up. High Point High School is not close to home. His biggest disappointment was not being able to audition for Carousel because he was not yet 13. Through the generosity of his friend’s families in providing him rides he came on as stage crew for that show. The next two years the program moved to Prince Georges Community College, much closer to our home and by that time Matt’s younger sisters were willing to help out the program as well. With each summer we as a family began spending more time at the theater and I will never forget my youngest daughter Mary, 5 or 6 years old at the time, coming out of the theater with her new friend Kaitlin covered in paint because they were helping paint the sets. That was Hello Dolly and I was asked to help out in the Box Office and front of house. From then on PGSTT became a family affair. For 2 shows, On The Town and Wizard of Oz I got to enjoy seeing all four of my children on stage. The program became the focus of our family during the summer months. Because this program was so much fun for my kids and was providing them with so many great lessons, friends and opportunities I wanted to help the program to continue, so I joined the board. I learned so much about how this program was built and I have spent 9 years trying to guide it to becoming the best program in the area. I have a wall covered in show posters signed each year by the cast and they are one of my most prized possessions. The teens that have come through our program have been a joy to work with and some have become treasured members of our extended family. As I have watched my children and the children in the program mature and continue in their love of theater I feel so grateful for having some small part in their development and feel blessed for having spent time with them on their journey through life.