How 'Bout A Dance?

Chapter 6

Ajay liked Saturday rehearsals the best. Not only did the actors get to truly work with the technicians for the first time, but he loved a day that was just all about theatre. No loud coffee machines, no being on his feet for six hours, just all of his energy going into raw creativity, into building stories and worlds and relationships.

He had barely set foot in the lobby of the theatre Saturday morning before two teenagers came rushing in, slightly out of breath.

"Hi, are you Ajay? We're here for rehearsal," panted the boy. Ajay raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah, that's me. You must be Jackson and Kaylie. Nice to meet you both. Why were you running?"

"Because we were late," answered the girl. "You told us to be here at nine, and it's..." she glanced at her watch, "five 'til."

"Oh! Oh, don't worry about it. I just got here, too. Let's go introduce you guys to the cast, okay?"

The teens nodded cheerfully and followed him through the doors to the theatre. Even just as a first impression, Ajay knew he liked these kids. Anyone who was that conscious of punctuality automatically earned his respect.

He himself was only late because his roommate had had the courtesy to keep him up all night being, well, rowdy with someone he had taken home from the club he frequented. He was fine with his roommate doing whatever he wanted, but he couldn't pretend he wasn't disgruntled from running on two hours of sleep. Usually when he was sleep deprived, it was at least because he was working or doing something else productive. It had taken him way too long to perform basic motor functions like tying his shoes or making coffee.

He stifled a yawn behind his hand and tapped his other hand on the stage, grabbing the cast's attention. Grace shot him a smile in greeting, but it didn't quite reach her eyes–maybe she was just tired. He made a mental note to check up on her later. He turned back to guide the kids up to the stage.

"So, everyone, as you probably assumed, this is Kaylie, our Young Bonnie, and Jackson, our Young Clyde. I want them to hopefully get to know everyone while they're here on Saturdays and during tech and dress."

Grace and Kevin were the first to introduce themselves, but overall the teens seemed to be a good fit in the cast. They were clearly experienced in the theatre business, settling in quietly to await his instruction. He went over his plan for the day in his head, then started telling everyone where to go.

"Alright guys, so this is what we're going to do for at least the next two hours. Grace, Kevin, Kaylie, and Jackson: I want you all down in the studio learning your choreography for 'Picture Show.' The choreographer is also going to show you the blocking I worked out, and we'll tweak that a little later. Everyone else, I want you to go through some vocal and physical warm ups, and then in ten minutes we'll start working on Scene Three, in Blanche's beauty parlor. Any questions?"

Silence.

"Great. Go for it!" He watched as the cast broke off into groups, then turned to where Emily sat at the desk they shared for rehearsals. He flipped through his script to get to Scene Three, then settled down at the desk.

"Anything interesting from the tech crews?"

"Not really. Lighting's gonna be a pain, though, with all these scene changes."

"Oh, I know. I'm actually planning to come here during the day next week to talk to the lighting head about their ideas."

"Good idea."

They sat there for a few more minutes, not speaking, until Rosa, Elijah, and three ensemble members came out onto stage. Ajay got up with his notebook and cleared his throat.