Back to school part one: Carlton’s senior year

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A red-haired teenager in a tuxedo
Carlton’s senior portrait

I’ll spare you the passage of time cliches and just leave it at, “I am astounded that my youngest son will begin his senior year of high school this week.”

There are still many miles to go on this journey, but I cannot pretend this week doesn’t mark another significant milestone. It’s our youngest’s last first day of school.

I am looking forward to this year for Carlton for many reasons:

  • He is driving himself to and from school.
  • He has great opportunities to audition and perform in compelling shows.
  • He will continue to expand his skillset with lighting and the other more technical areas of production.
  • He will make decisions about his next steps.
  • He will earn his high school diploma and other accolades.

My Darling Beloved and I are proud of each of our three boys. They have distinct personalities and different talents.

We went into senior year with the older two focused on marching band, concerts and mock trial. As a student in the theater conservatory at the Gwinnett School of the Arts (SOTA) at Central Gwinnett High School, Carlton’s senior year will be all about the shows.

A teenager with his eyes closed and wearing a necktie shouting into a microphone on a stage
Carlton as William Barfée in Smoke Rise Academy of Arts’ spring production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
A teenager dressed as a viking with a horned helmet, long red beard and giant battle ax
Carlton as Stoick the Vast in Smoke Rise Academy of Arts new work premiere of “How To Train Your Dragon” musical at the Junior Theater Festival in January 2026.
A teenager dressed as a police officer gesturing toward a young girl with a teddy bear
Last fall, Carlton portrayed Officer Lockstock in the Gwinnett School of the Arts one-act competition production of “Urinetown.”

In the fall, SOTA will be producing “Come From Away” for its entry in the state one-act play competition. I’ve never seen this show and look forward to how they will interpret the source material and stage the production. I have learned that it’s based on the true story of how the town of Gander, Newfoundland, welcomed 7,000 people from 38 airplanes that were forced to divert there following the September 11 attacks. Count me intrigued.

Teenage girls dance on stage with fireworks in the foreground
Carlton’s lighting design and direction for Smoke Rise Academy of Arts’ production of “Six” included color themes for each performer and pyrotechnics.
Teenage girls sing on stage
Carlton’s lighting design for “Six.”
A teenage girl in green and black sings on stage with green lighting
Carlton’s lighting design for “Six.”
A girl with pink sunshades glows as she sings on stage under a black light
Carlton’s lighting design for “Six” include a dramatic number with ultraviolet light.
Teenage girls sing on a stage with red lighting
Carlton’s lighting design for “Six.”
Teenage girl sings on stage with blue lighting
Carlton’s lighting design for “Six.”

Then in the spring, SOTA’s spring musical will be “Pippin,” a show roughly as old as I am but has also escaped my viewing. You might recognize some of the show’s musical numbers, and Carlton already has the cast recording on heavy rotation in our car rides. It’s the fictionalized story of the Medieval French King Charlemagne and his son, Pippin, who is seeking significance and meaning.

I couldn’t begin to guess what roles Carlton will audition for or what he will end up doing in these shows, but they are two moments of his senior year I am anticipating.

A group of teenagers in cheerleading uniforms on stage
Carlton was paid to design and direct the lighting for the Alumni Musical Productions summer show “Bring It On” at Gwinnet School of the Arts this summer.
Cheerleaders in a pyramid formation on a stage
Carlton’s lighting on full display in “Bring It On.”
Teenagers dance on stage under multicolored lights
Carlton’s lighting design for “Bring It On.”
A person in a leprechaun mascot costume dances with teenagers all around
Carlton’s lighting design for “Bring It On.”

Yes, there will be tests, quizzes, papers and assignments, but I have learned from our previous two journeys through senior year as well as Carlton’s previous three years of high school that I do not need to own that stress. Those are Carlton’s hurdles to clear, not mine. Worrying about it and pestering him only drives a wedge in our relationship and ruins both of our moods.

As I look ahead to the start of the school year, I am more optimistic because of the summer we’ve just been through with Carlton. He did the lighting design and production for two shows, “Bring it On” at the new theater group Alumni Musical Productions (AMP) and Smoke Rise Academy of Arts’ staging of “Six.” Not only did he receive compensation for his work, his vision was affirmed and applauded giving him a boost at a time when all teenagers benefit from such acknowledgement.

Teenagers dance on stage in a Cinderalla's ballroom scene
Carlton did the lighting design and direction for Gwinnett School of the Arts’ spring musical production of “Once Upon a One More Time.”
Prince Charming with his arms raised on stage as teenagers dance in the background
Carlton’s lighting design for “Once Upon a One More Time.”
Cinderella surrounded by her stepmother and stepsisters on stage with green and pink lights
Carlton’s lighting design for “Once Upon a One More Time.”
Prince Charming dances with men in long coats and Snow White and Cinderella looking on
Carlton’s lighting design for “Once Upon a One More Time.”
Prince Charming in the spotlight center stage surrounded by dancers
Carlton’s lighting design for “Once Upon a One More Time.”

He also managed himself this summer. He took responsibility for getting up and getting to his jobs on time, and for the first time in memory, I didn’t spend the summer sitting in parking lots waiting for him to come out after rehearsal. Carla and I had a taste of what empty nesting will feel like. I read three books, watched two shows that had been on my list for awhile and went to bed at a reasonable hour all summer. I could get used to this.

A man in sunglasses with a teenager behind and to the left of him sticking out his tongue.
Mischievousness is Carlton’s love language.

There will be other challenges this year, I know, but I am not giving in to dread. I’m hopeful for Carlton. He’s putting the pieces together at the right time, and rather than spend his entire senior year looking at what’s next in the way so many high school seniors’ families do, I am determined to be present in the moment. I want to relish each of the “lasts” that he will experience this year and take in the emotions they produce, whether it’s joy or sadness.

The Class of 2027 begins its closing number in just a few days, and as Carlton becomes swept up in the climactic events, I want him to know that I’m here for it… all of it. It might be too on the nose to evoke a theater metaphor for a theater kid, but just know that I’ll get my popcorn and savor the memories we’re about to make together before the curtain closes.

Good luck, Carlton. Work hard and have a great senior year. We’re with you all the way, cheering you on and shouting “Bravo!” with all of our love.

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Published by lanceelliottwallace

Lance Elliott Wallace lives and writes in the Atlanta suburb of Lilburn. A native of Texas and a former resident of Florida and Alabama, Lance married a Georgia girl and together they are rearing three Georgia boys. By day he communicates for the higher education institutions of Georgia. He spends his early morning hours praying, writing and walking.

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