The Drama With My Drama Teacher

Honey, Honey

Honey, Honey

We're told to line up at the side of the stage. The director Xander gives us five minutes to warm up, and then we're each given a number. I'm last.

I feel that going last is a prime opportunity, because it allows me to watch my competition and gives me more time mentally to prepare. The song I think I'm going for is Honey, Honey. Backstage, I google the lyrics to double check I'm right.

I'm interrupted when Xander calls for the first girl to head onto the stage. She's slim and has pretty brown hair that's so straight it looks like it's been ironed. She opens her mouth to sing.

She's gone for I Have a Dream, and her voice is mesmerising. She takes slow, graceful movements across the stage and her expressions truly make me think that this girl does have a dream. She sings the last note and bows.

"That was great!" Xander praises and they have a brief conversation. The next girl steps up to sing. She's blonde and is wearing a dress that looks exactly like one Sophie wears in the film version. She is singing the same song as the other girl.

She interprets it differently, and smiles brightly several times throughout the song, which personally I don't think was the best choice. She is very charming on stage though and she also gets a clap when she's finished.

The third girl that steps up onto the stage chooses to do I Have a Dream. I'm starting to worry that perhaps I've picked the wrong song. But I decide not to doubt myself and stick to Honey, Honey.

Number Three has an amazing voice. It's clear and rings out across the stage, but she stands still the entire time. It's a little static on stage.

When the fourth girl goes on the stage I perk up because I hear the music for Honey, Honey and realise that she is singing the same song as me. She has dark hair and beautifully tanned skin, and she has a lovely singing voice.

She starts moving around the stage as she performs, and I feel my stomach get a little nervous as I realise that she is really good and is serious competition. When she walks off the stage, I can see Mr Williams and Xander nodding and smiling about her performance.

The fifth girl goes on stage and also sings I Have a Dream. Her expressions and gestures are lovely but her singing voice isn't the strongest. I'm still thinking about the girl before her, and I can see that Xavier is too.

I can't let her psyche me out. If I want to win this part, I have to focus on me, not the other actresses auditioning. If I want to prove to Chris that I can make it as an actress, then I have to get this part.

The music for the fifth girl stops and she bows. She has a conversation with Xander, who smiles and gives her feedback. Backstage, I shake off any doubts I have.

I know this song. I know this character. I know what to do.

"Next please" Xander calls out, and I walk onto the stage. "Which song will you be singing for us?"

"Honey, Honey" I say confidently and give a smile. Xander nods, and I see in his face how he's already comparing me to the fourth girl who sung this exact song.

The musician plays the beginning notes of the song, and I turn away from Xander and Mr Williams and face the back of the stage. The music begins and I spin around, and open my mouth to sing.

"Honey, honey, how he thrills me, ah-ha, honey, honey" I say and wiggling my hips to the rhythm. Performing can be planned, but the real acting comes from going out onto a stage and just completely loving what I'm doing.

I sing the song and add little hair flips and gestures, and I try to keep my expressions in compliance with the lines of the song. I remember in the film (and the musical that Daddy took me to see) how Sophie was so completely excited to see her friends and tell them what she found out about her father.