"Yeah mom, I miss you too," I exclaim, hurriedly shoving a croissant in my mouth. "I'm still in college! Yes, if I get any roles I'll call you. Bye." Rushing out of the Nespresso and over to my car, I quickly check my bag. Monologues, check. Essay on Taming of the Shrew, check. Lunch, check. Something was missing. My water bottle. I pull it out of my glovebox with a silent, check.
Now that I had everything, there was no time to lose. If I wanted to make a good impression on the new music director, I had to get to auditions early. Last year, after a lengthy speech made by yours truly on why musical theater is important, some of the professors decided to do an annual musical. This year: The Phantom of the Opera. Which is a dream come true, since I have a rich, baritonic voice, and can play a guy pretty convincingly. Word on the street is some junior really worked on her pipes over Christmas break, and can now hit the notes for Christine. Parking, I dash over to the auditorium, music in hand.
At first, I thought hardly any people would try out, but then I realized I was at Juilliard. So I wasn't surprised by seeing all of the vocal majors already seated. I look around and spot Adam, already seated. He sees me, and beckons. Sorry, 'beckons' might be an understatement. He waved both hands ferociously. I walk over to him and wait. "It's not the best you've ever done, but you look good," he says with a grin. After a thank you (and a necklace addition) later, he gasps and grabs me. I panic. "What?!" In a breathy whisper, he confesses,"The new director is so hot!" I glance over to where he's pointing. Oddly staring back at Adam, I say, "But he's so old," which gets me a disapproving glare from my best friend.
Adams family had pushed him to become a lawyer since childhood. Coming from a long line of lawyers, everyone was shocked when he told them he wanted to sing, and even more surprised when he told them he was gay. Mostly, though, they were mad. They didn't have to kick him out, he left on his own, but I'd be amazed if the whole UK didn't have a barbed wire fence around it.
Coming back to reality, I squint sat the back of the audience, to get a better look at the music director. "Omigod, dude, it's David Foster!" Whisper-shouting had never been my strong suit. The girls next to us turned. One was a voice major, and her eyes widened. She started whispering to her friend, but by then, I was already telling Adam.
