The morning came without a trace of the previous night’s intense drama. Julie came into my room, walked over to the window and opened it wide to the perfectly sunny June morning. “Penny, it’s getting late. Didn’t you want to be down at the center no later than eleven?”
“Ahh, yeah. Thanks,” I murmured as I rolled over trying to wake up.
“Did you decide what you’re going to do?”
“Ahh, yeah … I think so,” I mumbled, and pulled the blanket over my head.
“Well, I’ll let you get ready.”
“Okay.” I moaned, and rolled over again. I was so comfortable I wanted to stay right where I was. But, thankfully, I remembered what I was to do today.
So, I finally broke out of the sleep that had eventually lured me into a restful escape. I forced myself upright and swung my feet out from under the blanket and over the edge of the bed. The worn, rose-colored shag carpet felt good under my feet.
The soft, early June breeze gently blew the ruffled curtains. The air was so fresh it revived me with each inhalation. I showered, dressed and stopped in the kitchen for a quick cup of coffee before heading over to the center.
It was Saturday morning at the center which meant it was alive with excited children. Saturday was usually reserved for the popular children’s art, music and dance classes.
Cars and minivans stopped in front of the doors, releasing their cargo of energetic, giggling children. I carefully parked the car and walked into the center with kids swirling around me. Their carefree happiness was infectious.
I heard music again, as I made my way through the same lobby area that led to the auditorium, yesterday. The tune wafted down from the same little dance studio where I had auditioned last night.
I needed to get my contract to Cindy in the theatre company’s temporary office, but surely it wouldn’t hurt to take a little peek.
I followed the music to the studio where now instead of young adults competing for a few precious spots open in a professional touring group, five and six year-olds giggled as they attempted to mimic the dance instructor not much older than myself.
I was suddenly transported to my childhood when my mother would take me to dance class.
“Plie, arm front and … up on your toes, slowly bring your arm out to the side …” The children bumped into each other as they lost their balance. “Good! You’re doing very well!” complimented the trim perky dance teacher. With her blond hair pulled up into a bouncy ponytail and her constant, yet sincere smile, she radiated the positive energy the children readily consumed.
“Miss Anna, are we gonna practice our dance for the show?” A chubby little red-haired five-year-old dressed in pink leotard and tights tugged at the teacher’s short wrap around dance skirt.
“Yes, Katie, we will, a little later. Right now you need to go back and stand in line with the other girls.”
“Okay.” Katie brightly agreed and skipped back to her place in line.
My mind went back in time and I could actually see mom’s face as she watched me giggle, working hard to follow the other children.
A sound broke me away from my thoughts. “Hey, lady, you comin’ to our class?” It was a small girl with a very big voice.
“Oh, no, no, I just stopped to watch. You are all very talented.”
“Thanks lady!” she yelled in my direction. Then abruptly added, “well, I gotta go back!”
“Okay, have fun.” I called after her as she ran to rejoin her fellow ballerinas.
Taking her place in line she gave me a little wave as though we were long-time friends. As I walked back down the hall, I thought about how much I missed my mother and all the things we used to do together.
I’m getting closer, mom. I think I’m in the right place to get some of the answers I need.
Ahead I saw a hand-made sign taped to the wall. Donnett Productions was written with black marker and a big arrow pointing the direction.
Turning the corner, I saw a door propped open about twenty feet down the next hallway. I looked around the doorframe and saw Cindy sitting at a computer, so involved with her work she didn’t notice me there. “Cindy …” I tried to get her attention without startling her.
She looked up from the keyboard. “Oh, hi. Penny, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ve been so busy. I’ve got to get all this paperwork finished before rehearsals next week.” She stood, tapped a pile of official looking forms on the table, aligning them into a perfect stack. Setting this pile of papers next to four other stacks that sat at an angle to her computer, she asked, “So, have you decided to join our happy group?”
“Yeah, how could I refuse?”
“Well, you definitely have your work cut out for you.” She said as she handed me my own forms and a pen. “You’re getting the roles that carry most of the shows. Sandy had a rough time at first, but with Peter’s help she gave spectacular performances.”
I looked up from the forms. “Sandy, is that the girl who had this job before me?”
“Yes, she was very good.”
“Then why did she leave?”
“I’m not really sure. At least to me, she always seemed kind of strange. But then again, what’s the definition of strange when you work in the theatre?” Even I had to smile at that one.
With a hushed voice, she added, “There were rumors that something was going on between her and Mr. Donnett. My position with the company keeps me running all over the place and I, personally, never saw them together except for rehearsals. Oh well, there’s always talk, especially in this business.”
Gesturing for me to hand her the contract, she said, “Let’s take a look, make sure we’ve got your signature in all the right places.”
She quickly flipped through the pages. “Yep. Looks good. Looks like everything’s all set. Rehearsals start in a week. Our first show is in New York City. I’ll be driving up from here, do you need a ride?”
“Yes.” Once the tour began, the company would be providing transportation, but first, I had to get to New York. “That would be great, if you’re sure it’s okay.”
“Of course it’s okay, besides, it’ll be nice to have some company. Have you traveled much before?”
“I did when I was a kid. My mother was an actress with a touring group and I always went with her. Her name was Elizabeth Nolan.” I waited for any type of reaction.
“Must be in your blood. I’ll bet she’s very proud of you.”
“She passed away when I was fifteen.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It was a long time ago.” Okay, the name didn’t get a reaction. Should I ask more or wait for a better time?
“Well, I think you’ll like it here with us. We’re a very hard working group and for the most part, we’re like family. I’ve worked for, and gone on the road with this production company for the past two years. Despite some of the theatre egos you always to have to deal with in this business, the groups I’ve been with have been very tight, very supportive of each other.”
“Sounds great. I’m fairly new to this business, but I know first- hand all about the politics and backstabbing. You find it even in college and community theatre.”
“I think the difference with us is, we’re on the road and in so many cities that people find they really need to rely on their fellow cast and crew members more than just on stage. You need some true friends and support for survival, for the long haul.”
“I hope this group will be the same.”
“I’m sure it will. I don’t know our new people very well yet, but they seem nice enough and they are obviously very talented. Most of the rest of the group was with us for our last tour. You’ll get to meet everyone Tuesday night.”
“I can’t wait. I’m excited but really nervous too.”
“You’ll be fine. Just don’t let anyone cop an attitude with you and make sure to read over the tons of paperwork I gave you yesterday.”
“Okay. See you then?”
“I’ll be there. I always am.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem,” she said with a bit of a flair as she sat back down behind the computer screen.
Walking down the hallways of the center and out to the car, I felt as though I was living someone else’s life. Am I really ready for this? Am I up to all this traveling and performing? More importantly, am I ready to face whatever I may find?
I rolled down the car window and enjoyed the refreshing breeze. It softly brushed my face and became stronger as I picked up speed. Any hair not snugly pulled into a ponytail was blown in every direction by the wind. It didn’t matter if it was a mess, I was going straight home. Besides, the wind was so refreshing, it gave me a sense of freedom and independence, something I needed to get used to.