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The role of William fell onto my agent’s desk a few weeks after I returned to Chicago, and I was instantly intrigued. The Glass Garden is a historical romantic drama, told with deep emotion and an even deeper conflict. I immediately knew it had a huge potential onstage. It’s an amazing opportunity and will certainly be a boost to my career. Broadway has been my dream for as long as I remember. I’m already envisioning the intricate sets, the challenging scenes, and the rich depth of William’s character.
He's a soldier in the US Army, just returned home. He’s confident yet guarded. He’s seen some tragic things. He has a depth and a backstory that will be fun to explore. Plus, I already feel like I can relate to him on multiple levels. It seems like the perfect fit.
I can see Elaine in my head too; small, innocent, and soft, yet fiercely determined. I did chemistry reads with two other actresses yesterday, and this morning I was brought back in to read with the final option. The other two women are fine choices, and I would enjoy working with either of them. But never in a million years did I expect to walk into the room today and see Sophie standing in front of me.
It was instant shock. I already accepted the fact that I’d never see her again, yet here she is.
And she’s good.
I worried I’d struggle to remember my lines, but fortunately, as we began to act, they came back quickly. She made it effortless for me. And when she spoke in front of me, so quiet and nervous, it all made sense. She’s the perfect Elaine. A spot-on representation of the character. And my opinion isn’t even a biased one. She embodies the role so well already, just by being herself. The panel in front of us doesn’t know that. But I do.
Sophie breaks her gaze first, turning back to the group and clasping her hands behind her back.
The casting director shuffles the papers in front of her. “OK, let’s move right along to the next scene. At this point, we’re much further into the story. William and Elaine are navigating some misunderstandings, namely about Elaine wandering alone and narrowly avoiding a dangerous group of men. At this moment, they’re investigating a relative’s boarded-up cottage outside of the city.” She points at the wall behind us. “Kai, let’s call that the cottage.”
I nod and turn to Sophie. She looks like she still hasn’t recovered from her initial shock, so I walk slowly to the wall, giving her a little extra time to compose herself.
“You may begin when you’re ready,” The casting director instructs.
I reach toward the wall, mimicking the action of pulling boards from the shuttered windows.
“What are you doing?” Sophie asks from behind me. It could have been a real question, but it’s actually the first line of the scene.
“I want to see what’s inside,” I reply, not looking at her. “Did you bring the key for the lock?”
I hear Sophie mumble, just as the script indicates, and then I turn around to see her standing at a distance, not looking at me.
“Elaine, I’m speaking to you. Did you bring the key for the lock?”
“And I replied to you. I said no,” she snaps.
“Fine,” I reply, reaching down to my side and pulling out an imaginary gun. “I’ll shoot the damn thing off.”
“Wait, wait,” she says, finally looking at me as she hands over an also imaginary key. “Here, you’re not at war anymore, you know. You don’t have to bring that gun everywhere.”
I step away from the wall and glare at her. William is frustrated with Elaine for being so angry with him. He doesn’t know what he’s done wrong. And in an odd coincidence, I feel very similarly toward Sophie. She was the one to push me away, but somehow, I still feel like I’m to blame.
I place myself directly in front of her, taking a breath. “Ok, let’s have it.”
“Have what?” She paces backward, watching me with feigned innocence.
“Why are you upset? What did I do, or not do? What did I do too much of, or too little of?” I furrow my brow.
Her big eyes stare up into mine. “You have no right in the world to be upset with me.”
“You have no right in the world to be upset with me,” I spit back. “Elaine, we’re talking in circles. And you’re wrong—I have plenty of right to be upset with you. But unlike you, I’m too grateful you’re safe and too happy to see you to be upset with you.” The last part is more sincere than the words could have predicted.
“I have more reason to be upset with you.” She pauses and looks down. “And I am happy to see you.”
My heart thumps harder in my chest. It’s just a line from the script, but those words from her lips give me hope.
I continue. “It’s hard for me to tell, your wall against me is so thick.” That’s the truth too.
She brushes her foot back and forth on the floor, not looking at me.
“Do you understand that I’m trying here?” I raise my voice. “You’ve got to take care of yourself. I didn’t hear from you for days. Should I have thought something terrible happened?”
“I don’t know what you thought, William.” She glares past me, toward the other end of the room.
