Conner's Performance

Chapter 1 - The Audition

Conner stood outside the audition room for the school play, he looked around at the other people trying out for a role and noticed that he is the youngest among them. Technically he would be the youngest allowed to audition since he had some previous theatre experience that allowed him to bend the grade requirement for the play. Conner's older sister was also auditioning, she had been in many productions in the past, they had performed together a few times. Today was his first time auditioning for a school performance, he would typically perform at the community theatre where his Mom volunteered.

An older boy stepped out of the room and looked at him. "Are you Conner Reid? If so, you're up next." The boy walked past him.

Conner slowly opened the door, he was a little nervous since usually his Mom would get him a role in a performance without needing to audition. He stepped into the school's drama classroom which had a small stage and was mostly used to store previous performance props, costumes and equipment. Sitting in front of the stage were two female teacher's, Ms Gray who was shorter with a stocky build with short hair, she was wearing a black turtleneck and practical black shoes. The other was Mrs Bell who was taller with long grey hair, she was wearing a red cardigan with a black skirt. Mrs Bell motioned for Conner to stand on the small stage. "Conner Reid is it, you are Jessica Reid's brother I take it?" Mrs Bell asked Conner.

"Yes Ma'am" Conner replied nervously.

"I see, you are aware the play is 'The Wizard of Oz'" Ms Gray asked further. "Your sister mentioned she had been in a different production of this play at the community theatre."

"Yes, I know it's 'The Wizard of Oz'. I was also in that performance." Conner replied quietly.

Ms Gray's eyes widened slightly. "Oh really, what part did you play before?" She questioned Conner.

Conner's face flushed a little, he regretted mentioning it. "Well I played one of the Munchkins. But it wasn't a speaking role, I was hoping to be a more important character this time." Conner explained.

Ms Gray looked him up and down. "Well we are letting you audition for a role due to your experience, I have been told you have been in multiple performances. In our performance the munchkins will be played by the first graders who want to participate, what grade are you in?" Ms Gray asked.

"I'm in the fourth grade this year." Conner told her.

"Hmm, well you are too old to play a Munchkin anyway, it's easier to have one class do that scene. Have you ever had a speaking role in any performance before?" Ms Gray continued.

"I played Chip in the beauty and the beast, it was only a few lines though." Conner said. He didn't tell her that he had hesitated during the performance and got interrupted.

"Let's give him a chance at least." Mrs Bell said.

"Okay, let's see what you got." Ms Gray asked.

Mrs Bell walked up to him and handed him a sheet of paper. "This is a simple scene from the play, in this scene you are playing the Scarecrow and I will read Dorothy's lines." Mrs Bell explained.

This was Conner's chance to actually get a speaking part, he just needed to get the lines out. Conner read through the lines. "Okay I'm ready to start," he said.

Mrs Bell cleared her throat and began. "You don't know how to stroll?" she asked.

"Uh. I don't know how to do nothing, I mean anything. I don't have a brain, or any brains." Conner stammered over the first line. "Sorry, can I try again?" he asked.

"Just continue from where you left off." Ms Gray said unimpressed.

Mrs Bell started again. "No Brains? How is that possible?" She continued.