a dream that you wish | kasey winslow |

Chapter 40

Before Kasey knew it, it was tech week. One of her favorite parts of being in a show. Something about the frantic, almost chaotic preparations leading up to an opening were why she was drawn into theatre. She loved looking out into the audience and seeing all the 'mission control' tables with the directors of lights, sound, sets, and costumes. And the new adjustments that were made were always interesting to play out onstage.

It was tiring, for sure, and she had almost no time at home, with Carleigh. But it was definitely worth it. Their show had grown from an Off-Broadway production to a full-fledged Broadway show. It was amazing to watch. 

Jess had recovered from her pneumonia just on time, so Elizabeth could return to her usual ensemble duties. Which was good, because Gary had been freaking out about the Elsa role for days.

Gary had planned the schedule strangely. Instead of traditional tech week, he decided to add an aspect of tech every day. The first day was costumes only. The second would be sets and stage crew; the third, sound; the fourth, lights. And for the three other days was full tech. 

Kasey thought it was a horrible idea to add lights last, because they had one of the more complicated jobs- syncing their light cues to what was going on onstage. And with the many ice power effects that needed to happen, it was going to be challenging. 

All the same, stepping into costume again was a nice feeling. They'd performed with costumes before- at the Astor Place, obviously, but also in the rehearsal hall, too. This time, it was different. Knowing that they would be performing in front of audiences was a thrilling thought.

~~~~~~~

Kasey stepped into her dressing room on the first day of tech to see her Anna costumes back on the costume rack. All the costumes were dry-cleaned the day before, so they didn't rehearse with them yesterday.

"Ready?" Kasey's new dresser, Pamela, asked. Pamela was a nice older lady who was pretty no-nonsense when Kasey first met her. But after a few weeks, Pamela had sort of opened up and became more comfortable around Kasey. Now they sometimes played games while Kasey wasn't onstage, and she helped her with the quick-changes backstage. 

"Sure," Kasey said. Pamela helped Kasey put the redheaded wig on, and then held out the coronation dress. 

Jess stopped by just before their ten minute call.

"How's it going?" she asked.

"Good, are you feeling better?" 

"Yes, thanks for asking. The few days of rest helped," Jess said. "I'm kind of excited for this tech week. It means we're only seven days away from previews."

"I know, it's exciting, isn't it?"

"Frozen on Broadway is almost a real thing," Jess said wonderingly. "It's weird, but it's cool, you know?"

"I understand what you mean," Kasey agreed. 

Kasey walked to the stage to get in her place for the top of the show. She really wasn't on for a few songs, which was nice. She didn't have to worry about being a tiny bit late to her place for the top of act one, since the ensemble was on first, and then Emma, Lily, Maura and Rebecca. 

The cast got the green light backstage. The ensemble began singing 'Vuelie', and chills ran down Kasey's spine. They were here, they were in costume, and tech week was finally beginning. 

Everything went well for the first couple songs. Kasey stumbled over her words a little bit in 'For the First Time in Forever', which was stressful. Hopefully it wasn't too noticeable. 

That was the problem with tech week- the directors knew every single line of the show, every piece of blocking. They knew if someone messed up, and tech week was virtually the last time they could address it directly. Once previews began, there was less of that. It was turned over to the dance captains to give notes. 

For now, all the swings were writing notes for the main cast and ensemble. They knew the tracks through and through, even if they weren't a lead. It was nice to receive that kind of constructive criticism, rather than Gary's version of 'helpful' criticism, which was shouting at the actors while they were onstage. 

Before Kasey knew it, she was going onstage for her entrance in 'Do You Wanna Build a Snowman'. This week was going to go by quicker than she thought.