Behind the Curtain: My First Play

I auditioned for my first play when I was eleven. Nothing fancy, it was the school play after all. I went through auditions then made it to callbacks. Because I was one of the only fifth graders called back, I suspected I would get a lead. Oh, I was ready to be humbled because when the cast list was posted and the tears had dried I was in one scene. One scene! In case you are wondering the play was Oliver and I was an orphan at the beginning where Oliver lives. Most of the fifth graders who had tried out were but two of the fifth graders had snagged the lead of Oliver (it was doublecast). Dodger, Nancy, Fagin and Bill Sikes all went to upperclassmen. Talented upperclassmen. How had I ever thought I could beat someone like them? 

I watched the leads closely hoping to pick up tips. As I watched I started noticing one of the Dodgers. I had always been transparent with  my crushes but I buried this one- at least for the duration of the show. Word got out later and it ended in a humiliating trainwreck but for now at least I got to watch from the safety of the audience. One of the Nancy’s was particularly good. In the scene where Bill murdered her (offstage) her bloodcurling scream turn my blood to ice. 

 Even though at the beginning of the show, i had debated quitting I was so glad I stayed. I learned basic choreography for the “Food Glorious Food” song. I learned blocking the first scene where he is kicked out of the orphanage in a fit of rage. I knew the whole musical front and back from watching it so many times and could step in for any character at any time. Not that I dreamed of that or anything.

We smudged our faces with makeup to resemble dirt. We dressed in clothes that resembled rags.  No wonder Dodger didn’t give me a second glance. With my short hair he probably thought I was a boy. I wasn’t sure if I could talk to him so that was probably just as well. And on opening night, I got just as excited as everyone else to be on the big stage even if it was only for one scene. One scene was all I needed.