Behind the Scenes

Prologue

The process of a high school musical is one roller coaster ride that never slows down. One of the most intense parts of the production is the bloodthirsty fight of who will get the leading role.

Freshman year. Lakeland High School's production of Hold the Check! written by notorious LHS alum, Henry Lawrence, has finally been released to the student body on Friday, February 10th, 2012.

Two students, Eliza and Todd are sitting in the audience looking with lustful eyes. That should be me, they think to themselves. I should be on that stage, wowing the audience with my talent. Why not me? I'm perfectly suited for the role. The people onstage don't carry a tone to my magnificent voice.

But alas, they are not on the stage, so they watch, envy building. However, a new goal pops into their minds: By senior year, that will be me. Just wait and see.

* * *

Junior year. Eliza is rocking the stage to Lakeland's production of Dancing Through Life. Todd is backstage working the curtains, so he can still glance at the stage at all times. He is insanely jealous of Eliza. Of course, he doesn't wish to have her role. Lila is a girl's character, but why couldn't Henry written in a male lead? That would've been fine. Yet, Todd still probably wouldn't have gotten it. Zach, Eliza's boyfriend, and probably the best singer at Lakeland, would get the part before he could even fill out an audition form. He had starred opposite his girlfriend in practically every single theater performance.

Eliza owns the stage like it is her own. She is fierce in this role and she knows it. For two years, she climbed up the LHS Theater totem pole and now she's finally made it! All those days of working the ropes and making costumes and applying makeup have finally paid off!

As she holds out her last brassy high note, she knows that she has left a mark on this school.

While Eliza holds the audience in her palm, Todd still wishes for a running start. However, once again, they both think the same thought. Yet, the thought is different this time around: High school isn't over.