A Writer Goes to Washington, D.C. - Part 4

I was in D.C. for an arts in education conference put on by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. I have been part of a marvelous program for the past six years sponsored by the Kennedy Center that trains teachers to bring arts integration into the classroom. 

As a writer, former actor and designer, I believe the arts are the lifeblood of education. If you want a child to be engaged in their learning, filter it through music, dance, puppetry, visual arts, mime, poetry, acting - I could go on and on. I've seen it work first hand with students from kindergarten through college.

I had never been to the actual Kennedy Center. On this trip, I was fortunate to finally see it.

  

It is truly a grand place with many theaters and a concert hall. The walls and even ceilings are covered with gorgeous art. 

A section of the mural on the ceiling of the Israeli lounge 

A Matisse tapestry

Painting in the Russian lounge

The biggest thrill for me was being able to see a show at the Kennedy Center. And not just any show - THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Many decades ago I was in a national tour of the same show that originated from the Los Angeles Music Center. It was super nostalgic and heartwarming for me to see it again and relive treasured memories. I was surprised when I remembered every one of my lines and could have said them along with the cast. 

For your dining and dancing pleasure, here are a few pix from my days as Louisa Von Trapp.

  

Ahh, the sailor suits. 

Werner Klemperer of HOGAN'S HEROES fame was our Uncle Max. He was a wonderful man and I adored him. William Katt of THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO fame played Rolf, nice guy gone Nazi in the production. Also a super fellow - pun intended.

Long live the arts in education!

V is for VON TRAPP

Welcome to Yes, This Will Be On the Test.

Waving to visitors, new followers, and fellow A to Z participants. I’m sending virtual hugs to you all for taking a moment to stop by.

I’ll be sharing my “take-aways.” All those snigglets, golden nuggets, and lessons learned from other creative sources.

Scroll down this link to find other wonderful A to Z participants.

DO-RE-MI -

Yes, that's me, second in line from the right.

Louisa Von Trapp, at your service. My brother, Rick, is next to me as Frederich. 

My freshman year of high school, I was on the road in a touring company of SOUND OF MUSIC that originated at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Los Angeles Music Center.

We almost went to Broadway, but the sets were too big. Seriously, that's what buzzkilled Broadway for us. The cost of rebuilding or cutting them down prevented us from hitting the Great White Way.

It was a magical time. The company was truly a family. Bob Wright, who played Captain Von Trapp, would help me study for tests at intermission. The nuns taught me how to put on make-up. One of the Nazi's was my Spanish tutor. 

Every night on stage, we went back in time and lived those moments of the story over and over. It never got old. It was one of the richest and most wonderful experiences of my life.

Werner Klemperer, Colonel Klink, from the television show, HOGAN'S HEROES was our Uncle Max. Patricia Morrison from the classic film KISS ME KATE was Elsa, the baroness booted by Maria. 

Constance Towers replaced Sally Ann Howes as Maria after the show left Los Angeles.

When the Music Center show ended its run. A handful of us were cast in SOUND OF MUSIC in Las Vegas at the Union Plaza Hotel, before downtown was a dive.

This is my brother Rick and I rocking our "curtain costumes."

In Vegas they cut the show down to an hour and a half with no intermission. We did two shows a night.

I understudied Liesl Von Trapp (Sixteen Going on Seventeen) and was fortunate enough to play the role for a stretch. My first kiss EVER was onstage during that song. Does it count when you are both wearing lip gloss?

Look who played Rolf - my first kiss: 

William Katt in his pre-hero days. 

A girl could do a lot worse!

It was a very trippy life for a teen. People waiting for your autograph at the stage door. Doing interviews. Performing at events related to the show. All we Von Trapp kids were pros. We did our jobs and followed the rules. School was three hours a day with a studio teacher and we all maintained decent grades.

It's a shame you hear such tragic stories about child actors. I learned about life, responsibility, and nurturing your creative soul that year. 

I WOULD wish it on any kid.

TAKE AWAY: 

Fame, in any size package, can be a learning opportunity if you appreciate its gifts and stay grounded.

Any other child actors out there?