It was dark. That’s how I knew it was almost my turn to go on. I felt warm and my stomach fluttered with butterflies. In a few short minutes, I’ll be pushed out onto that stage. In a few more minutes, it was all or nothing.
Cameron whispered in my ear, “Are you ready?” I nodded as best I could. It was quite difficult in the cart. My head could only move certain ways. I listened intently for Carter’s key line, “All right! This has gone far enough!” And as soon as he said it, Cameron pushed me onto the stage. “Coming through!” she said, in a chipper voice.
I faced away from the audience, so only the back of my teacup head was visible to them. I took a deep breath as Cameron stopped the cart right in front of Landon and Willow. The others said their lines, and I waited just a few more seconds before I knew it was my turn. “Boo!” I shouted, turning my body toward the audience. Landon yelled, and the audience laughed. This was the introduction of my character in “Beauty and the Beast.” I smiled brightly and said the rest of my lines, and before I knew it, I was being rolled back off the stage.
Was that cart comfortable? No! Of course not! But it was worth it all the same. I remained off stage with Cameron for a couple more scenes, until it switched to the castle again. Lauren appeared from the other side of the stage, a dark cloak draped around her shoulders. “Hello?” She called. “Is anyone there? I’m looking for my father!” Carter and Austin “whispered” their lines to the audience, spooking Lauren’s character and causing her to run off stage. Carter and Austin soon followed. Cameron gripped the cart with her hand, and then pushed me onto the stage. “Mama! Mama! You’re not going to believe what I saw!” I exclaimed. When our scenes was finished, Cameron rolled me back off. She took off my hat, and I got out of the cart. Stretching my legs, I walked to the band room. I walked back and forth, to and from the cart. On and off stage. Being a musical theater kid is not easy! Ask anyone who was involved in the production of “Beauty and the Beast”!
Though it was a trying show, and could sometimes be exhausting, we all had a great time. I was especially so grateful to be a part of the show. I’ve always known that my heart has belonged to the stage. I will continue to be a part of musical theater for as long as I can. It really is something that brings me great joy, and my experience with “Beauty and the Beast” will be a memory I cherish forever. Chip will always be a character that is near and dear to me, and I will never forget him or that feeling of being on stage.
