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As much as I hate to say this, high school was over for me a little over 15 years ago. I could not imagine going back at this age while working fulltime, being a mom, and maintaining Beauty and the Bump NYC.  It would surely be tough. But what does a mom do that has unfulfilled dreams and what she needs to accomplish those dreams require her getting a GED? She goes to night school, just like Theresa, Mary Lynn Rajskub’s character in Night School.

After seeing an advance screening of Night School starring Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish, I had the opportunity to interview Mary Lynn Rajskub to gain insight on what it was like portraying Theresa, a mom who had to balance the transition of being a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) with going back to school to pursue her dreams.

Night School - Mary Lynn Rajskub Theresa expressed her regrets for not completing school and having to stay at home with the kids while her husband worked. There is always a battle in trying to find the right balance.  Who is taking care of the kids while both parents are working or in Theresa’s case, going back to school? Is there truly a point where balance can be achieved or does something or someone gets neglected in the long run? Mary Lynn elaborates on this by providing personal experiences and through the eyes of her Night School character, Theresa.

A class of night-school students (from lower left) — Mila (ANNE WINTERS), Mackenzie (ROB RIGGLE), Luis (AL MADRIGAL), Teddy Walker (KEVIN HART), Theresa (MARY LYNN RAJSKUB) and Jaylen (ROMANY MALCO) — attempt to steal a practice test in “Night School,” the new comedy from director Malcolm D. Lee.

Mary Lynn believes that balance, especially for full-time working moms is a misnomer.  She stated that while she “…was younger I just sort of blindly accepted you can do it all.” However, as she got older she realized “…you really can’t.” If Theresa does pursue continuing her education, she will miss out on family time.  But, it does not mean she will have to miss out on everything, especially if she had the support of her husband (in the movie). There is a scene where Theresa is fed up and demands support from her husband.  With his help, obtaining her GED and continuing education will not be as hard. They can have a second income and not have to worry about how the next bill will get paid.

As far as how Mary Lynn handles balancing her acting career, family life and being a stand-up comedian, she and her husband have an understanding that when she is out of town he picks up the slack. She understands that yes, she’s working, but she will also miss out on basketball practice. It isn’t about balance, but picking and choosing what is important for you and your family at that time.

Students (from lower left) Theresa (MARY LYNN RAJSKUB), Mackenzie (ROB RIGGLE), Mila (ANNE WINTERS), Luis (AL MADRIGAL), Teddy Walker (KEVIN HART), Bobby (JOSEPH CARTEGNA aka FAT JOE) and Jaelyn (ROMANY MALCO) celebrate graduation with their principal (TARAN KILLAM, upper right) and teacher Carrie (TIFFANY HADDISH, lower right).

Night School Movie Synopsis

Once again, Kevin Hart teamed up with producer, Will Packer who created Ride Along and the Think Like a Man series to bringing their signature style to Night School. The comedy from director Malcolm D. Lee (Girls Trip) follows a group of misfits as they are forced to attend adult classes in the longshot chance they will pass the GED exam. Co-stars Tiffany Haddish, Rob Riggle, Taran Killam, and Romany Malco join Hart on-screen for the film that Hart produces for his Hartbeat Productions, and Packer via his Will Packer Productions.

 

NIGHT SCHOOL – In Theaters Friday, September 28th!

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Disclosure: Screening passes provided by Universal Pictures. All opinions are my own and do not represent the views of the parent company represented.