The Other Bowen || Nini Salazar-Roberts

improv

Nini's pov

Everyone gathered around Lily's phone as we watched the video that North High posted about them switching their show to Beauty and the Beast. I noticed Lily raise her eyebrows in shock when a blonde girl popped up on screen.

"Oh, my gosh, that's what's her name. Brielle, from our auditions. She isn't just codirecting their show, she's starring in it." Seb stated.

"You mean perfect pitch, looks like an actual Disney princess, super fangirl/mean girl Brielle?" Ashlyn asked.

"I'm gonna go with yes." EJ answered.

"I remember her vaguely." Ashlyn nodded.

"Thank you all for coming so quickly on a Saturday." Miss Jenn and Carlos walked into the bomb shelter with a few bags from Target filled with things. "Or most of you all. We're missing a teapot and a village idiot."

"I think they're at the pizza place." Ricky told Miss Jenn.

"Yeah, Kourtney texted in the group. They said they couldn't get anyone to cover their shifts." Seb admitted causing EJ to hit him. "Oh."

"Oh... I didn't see that text." Miss Jenn said as she pulled out her phone.

So there are two drama club group chats. There's the group chat with all of us and Miss Jenn, where we send Lin Manuel Miranda tweets. And then there's the real group chat without Miss Jenn.

"I meant the group chat with me and EJ." Seb quickly lied before giving us an enthusiastic thumbs up.

"Well, back to the matter at hand." Miss Jenn continued. "I can tell from your solemn faces you've all seen the video."

"Its incredible. Even I have no notes." Carlos said. "I can't believe they stole our show."

"Yeah, I think their Lumiere is an actual French exchange student." Lily added.

"Miss Jenn, how are we supposed to beat North High at the Menkies if they're churning out this a second after changing their musical?" Ashlyn asked before we all split off into our own conversations about the situation.

"Wildcats!" Miss Jenn clapped causing us to all shut up. "Take heart. North High is clearly focusing on bells and whistles. Impressive. But distracting. All we need is..."

"Friendship?" Seb asked.

"No, Seb. All we need is to get back to basics. Emotional performances that connect with the audience, can make all the difference with these judges. And I have a plan. Which is why you've all been called in today. And that plan is... a weekend acting intensive." Miss Jenn announced.

"Acting intensive like..." EJ trailed off in confusion.

"Improv. Character work. Movement exercises." Miss Jenn clarified before looking at Gina on her phone. "Hey, Gina. Gina. Are you here?"

Gina looked up from her phone. "Yeah."

"Okay. We're going to connect with our characters." Miss Jenn continued. "And impressive performances, not fancy staging or actual killer wolves, will be our key to the gold. And don't forget, we have something North High doesn't."

"Friendship?" Seb guessed again.

"A brand new original song for the Beast and the rose." Miss Jenn gestured to Lily and I causing everyone to clap as I placed my head on Lily's shoulder with a smile. "And how's that coming along, you guys?"

Lily and I looked at each other.

Miss Jenn asked Lily and I to write a duet together for the show but we haven't actually started yet because whenever I try to write something down, Lily totally distracts me.