Personal Narrative: Twality's Theatre

Standing on the dark stage, I took deep, slow breaths to calm my nerves. My stomach did somersaults and my hands shook. Fidgeting with my pink peasant top and ankle length yellow floral skirt, I made eye contact with my fellow actors. The closed curtain was the only thing separating us from an audience of five hundred people. One would think that after three months of rehearsals I would feel prepared for this, but I didn’t. We froze in our starting places and listened to the twinkling sounds of the fairy godmother magically opening the curtains and the show began.
My eighth grade year the musical was Roger & Hammerstein's Cinderella. I decided that this was finally my chance to be a part of Twality’s musicals. Actually getting a lead role seemed impossible after not making the show at all in sixth grade. And especially after skipping my audition in seventh grade. But, I chose to audition for the role of a stepsister. I wanted to be Joy, the grumpiest, most sarcastic, and least joyful sister, or Grace, the clumsiest of the three sisters. I did not want to be Portia, the third sister. I’m terrible at doing voices and she required a specific voice.

My nerves impaired me. Sitting on stage, I found myself lost in thought instead of focusing on the scene I was in. How am I doing? Is my acting good enough? Will I get a lead? Mrs. Thielen's voice brought me back to the scene, “Joy?”
“What? Oh. Sorry.” Shoot! I broke character. I delivered my few lines for that audition scene and returned to my seat off stage, completely mortified. After watching the rest of the acting auditions, my group walked over to the choir room for the singing auditions. Despite the nerves of singing in front of people, I think I did well. Finally, the dance portion of auditions. My friend Hannah taught us a short jazz routine which we performed in front of the rest of the