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I giggle as we walk onto the elevator. We chat as we go down, waving at people we see as we walk. I really love this campus and how pretty it is, there’s so many places to sit outside and enjoy the weather.
I loved the idea of going to Dartmouth, but I have to admit it’s nice to hang up my snowshoes for crop tops and sandals. Ft. Lauderdale really made me love being able to be in less layers year round.
I still love the snow, but this weather works for me.
We are headed to one of several theaters on campus, and my jaw drops as we walk in.
“Wow,” I murmur softly.
“Isn’t it gorgeous?!” Dena squeals softly. “Let’s get you signed in, and see what you got! Umm…can you sing by any chance?”
“What?!” I screech, and Dena giggles.
I have the feeling that Dena may have omitted a few details.
There’s a large man at the front of the theater barking instructions, but my father is a military man, and this doesn’t really bother me.
I sign in with who I believe is one of his assistants and bite my lip. “I may have been talked into this,” I whisper furiously. “I have no idea what to expect or what I’m doing. This is a mistake isn’t it?”
Frank, the assistant, smirks and appears to be a student too. “Come with me, and we’ll chat so Professor Pales doesn’t lose his shit,” he murmurs.
Walking toward the back of the theater, I watch as tryouts start.
“Okay, tell me, Cas, who told you about the UT Drama Club?” Frank asks softly, watching the stage as he talks to me.
“Dena…” I begin to say, and he chuckles.
“Of course she did. Look, she’s a flirt, but she’s got a really good eye for talent. Can you read a script and memorize it?” he asks, frowning as he sees something.
“Yeah, of course,” I tell him, kind of surprised this is a question.
“Are you aware of how tonality and inflection affectshowyou say things in conversation?” Frank continues to interrogate me.
“Yeah, but—” My Latin class in the eighth grade had to go to a contest and recite Latin excerpts of stories. Tonality has been ingrained in my soul after that experience.
Frank doesn’t let me say any of this though.
“Can you sing at all?” Frank asks again, and I swear I feel like I’m in the middle of an interview.
“Yes, but I haven’t sung outside of a school choir in ages,” I groan softly, getting the feeling he’s assessing my skills as he talks to me.
“Perfect,” he mutters as he hands me a sheath of papers. “You’re reading Violet’s lines, and then I’m going to have you sing an excerpt from one of the songs. Umm…can you read music?”
“Yes…?” I tell him, now petrified of where this is going.
“Great, you’re up next!” Frank stands and cups his mouth as he yells, “Thank you so much for your time! We will contact you if needed. Next up is Cassie Shephard, who is reading the part of Violet!”
Yeah, that’s not unnerving at all!
Swallowing, I get up when Frank gestures me forward. Walking quickly to the front of the theater, I climb the stairs with a swallow. I haven’t memorized shit and have never read this play.
“Miss Cassie, show me what you’ve got, please. I will be reading the male’s part so you have someone to interact with,” the professor says.
I nod, thankful I won’t be talking to myself.
Looking down, I take a deep breath so I won’t pass out. Seeing my lines, I look up at him.
He grins and winks, and begins to read the male’s part, nailing tonality and emotion. Standing tall, I read my part back. It’s fun, full of banter and snark, and I step right into Violet’s role. I lose myself completely, until Professor Pales goes silent.
