She stood outside the door, her foot tapping nervously.  Her eyes darted back to the sign “Don’t enter until 7:30” every minute.  Finally, frustration taking the best of her, she opened the doors at 7:25.

The Dana Hall Parent’s Weekend Performing Arts Concert showcased a wide range of talent from the School’s performing arts department.  Family members from the state, across the country, and even overseas, came to see their children on the stage.  Bardwell auditorium filled with adoring parents, snapping pictures and taking videos.  Bouquets of flowers lined the floors.

The woman at the door was first into the auditorium.  Taking the center seat of the first row, she positioned herself for an unobstructed view of her daughter, a music school performer.

The curtains opened to reveal statuesque dancers and poised actors; the stage filled with chorus, gospel, and chamber singers, as well as students with instruments. Parents all across the room fidgeted with excitement.

Throughout the concert, the woman in the center of the front row squirmed constantly.  She reached and leaned, looking for the perfect position for viewing and videotaping.  Whenever her daughter and her daughter’s friends came onto the stage, she watched with the greatest attention, yet she clapped enthusiastically for all.

This excitement was present in all that night.  One student, senior Rachel Cincotta said, “I know I’m not a parent or anything, but I honestly just love to come see all of my friends perform.  They’re basically my family, so why not come cheer them on?” 

Dancer Alix MacGillivray, whose parents were in California during the concert, had two grandparents attending from Martha’s Vineyard, streaming video of the concert, in real time, for her parents to see.  Her grandmother gushed, “It was just beautiful.  I am so glad I got to see her dance.”

Dana students are used to hearing the thundering applause and roaring support of their friends.  But Friday night there was neither stomping nor zealous yelling, just tears of joy and the clapping of proud parents. 

by Alison Maas