Anthony Ramos - Just Another Chorus Girl

The First Day

Isabella's POV-

I scurried my way through the crowd of dancers who where all desperate to be allocated a number. A lady standing on a chair handed me mine along with a couple pins, to attach it to my leotard.

112.
"Okay Isabella stay calm, you've been training all your life for auditions like this, it's really no big deal." I muttered to my self in attempt to cool my nerves. Except I was wrong, this really was a big deal. It was an audition to be in the broadway production of Hamilton- which is more than just a musical it's honestly a piece of art work. Not to mention, they already have the majority of the cast together, they only really need a few dancers for the chorus. I have to be perfect or there's no way I'll stand a chance.

I head into one of the studios and start warming up. As I'm stretching, I cannot help but notice that all of the other girls around me are at least 5,10 or taller. I sigh, as a dancer I've always been told I'm too small- I'm 5,5 which is really a shame in situations like this... it's hard to stand out when you're in a room full of people half a foot taller than you.

Suddenly the lady from before comes, into the studio and beckons a group of 20 dancers at a time forward. I anxiously await my turn, marking the combination they taught us earlier, trying to make sure that I can focus on my technique and facial expressions when I'm auditioning, rather than what comes next in the choreography.

Before I know it, my group is called and we make our way into an auditorium where we are told to take a seat. Following that, none other but Lin Manuel Miranda gets up on the stage to greet us,

"Hello hello, ladies and gentlemen" he says cheerfully, "thank you so much for coming today. So what's about to happen is we'll call you up 5 at a time and you can perform the combination. We'll let you know afterwards if we need you to stay."

I tense up at the prospect of being send home unsuccessful. I want this more than anything.

"I hope you don't mind," Lin continues, "but some of the cast members have come to sit in on todays auditions. Daveed Diggs, Phillipa Soo and Anthony Ramos" he says gesturing towards the 3 people sitting at the end the second row.
Lin walks down into his seat next to Andy the choreographer.

My group is called up to the stage and although I'm nervous as hell I walk on to the stage as confidently as possible. Despite being the youngest and the smallest I make sure I am front and centre and get into our starting positions. I take a deep breath and wait for the music to begin. It's time.

I give it absolutely everything I have, and try to input all I have been taught and all the corrections I've been given. By the end I feel satisfied by what I've done.

Andy reads out the numbers of people he wants to stay on from my group, there is only one,
"112" he says and I feel overwhelmed with joy. I make eye contact with Anthony Ramos as I skip happily from the stage to take a seat, suddenly I feel someone tug at my arm.

"Hey, do you want to sit here?" Anthony smiles at me motioning to the seat next to him.

"Um yeah of course, thank you!" I smile back, surprised that he's acknowledging me and happy that I don't have to sit on my own.

"You where amazing up there by the way, I couldn't take my eyes of you" he said, and I noticed the freckled faced boy turn a deep shade of pink "I- I mean none of us could, you're a very good dancer" he finished, clearly a little embarrassed.

Daveed chuckled, obviously listening into our conversation,
"Nice one bro, real smooth" he mocked, causing Anthony to smack him playfully on chest and me to giggle.

"Well thank you, I think you're all amazing too!" I said smiling at Anthony, and he sweetly smiled back.

"What's your name then gorgeous?" He asked making me blush.

"Isabella, I already know who your are" I replied, tucking a piece of loose blonde hair behind my ear and sitting back in my seat.

"What a beautiful name" Anthony whispered, making me blush again, hopefully he didn't notice, as we both turn our heads to watch the other dancers perform.

The next day

I wake up at 07:30 to the sound of a phone call from an unknown number. Intrigued, yet slightly skeptical, I answer, bringing the cold phone up to my ear.

"Hello?" I ask,

"Yes, hello is this Isabella Jacobs?" A familiar voice asks,

"Speaking." I respond

"Hi Isabella this is Lin-Manuel Miranda, I'm just calling because I'm delighted to let you know that we would absolutely love you to come and join the cast of Hamilton, you in?"

"What??" I practically yell, out of shock and I can hear Lin laugh at this reaction "oh my god of course I'll do it! Thank you so much!"

"No problem, you blew everyone away at yesterday's audition so you've really earned it! We're all so excited to have you on board!" I'm smiling like a mad person at this point, I cannot believe this is happening to me!

Lin continues, "I was wondering if you'd like to come to the Richard Rodgers theatre today at 1pm to get to know the cast, and be allocated your dressing room ect?"

"Yes, yes of course!" I respond excitedly, "I'll see you then! Thanks again Lin!"

"No problem, you deserve this! I'll see you soon"

With that I hang up the phone, and do a little happy dance, I fall backwards onto the bed and just lie there, smiling giddily to myself. I can't believe this real. I also realise this means I'm going to get to see Anthony again, he really made quite an impression on me yesterday... I can't wait to get to the theatre!