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Hidden 8 yrs ago Post by zeldaz
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Today was the first day.
The first day of rehearsal.
"Abigail Knightly."
I stood up, moving from the theater's seats to the stage. Walking up the hollow stairs that led to the apron, or front stage. I stopped, center stage in the blinding light of the spotlight. The seats of the Lotus Theater stretchered out in front of me. The seats were a deep red, and the seats stretchered on for hat seemed like forever, with a balcony above to add to it.
"I know you're already set for the opening lead spot in this production of Beauty and the Beast, but this is just a quick chemistry test between you, and the one we have set up for beast."
I nodded, fiddling with the hem of my shirt. I felt under dressed, and way too casual. Jeans and a t-shirt doesn't fit the style of Beauty, or a formal theater.
I pulled my hands away from my shirt and clasp them together.
This would all be worth it. Just have to work through the nerves and you'll be fine


I would suggest joining as the would-be beast, but if you have an other ideas, I'm always open, it can be boy or girl, just jump in!
Hidden 8 yrs ago → 8 yrs ago Post by Barrett
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Barrett Oh, the year was 1778...

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First day on a new production is always tricky. New lines, new roles, new places, not to mention new people. If you aren't careful, you get off on the wrong foot and the everything's wrong from the start. Bit of a pessimistic way of looking at it but there it is, sometimes the silver lining is actually just more rain.

I roll my shoulders, tap my thumbs, fast displacement activities. Nerves? Maybe so, maybe just impatience. Waiting is always the worst part, better just to start the damn thing already than sit around here.

Then it starts. I hear them calling on a girl, Abigail something, from my position in the Stage Right wing and then gentle sound of footfalls on the stage. Words, reassurances, from the man with the plan. He calls it a 'Chemistry test', a strangely clinical way of saying 'visible sparks test'.

And so I walk on stage, towards the apron. Not with the prowling ferocity of the caged beast, but not quite with my own impatient stride. Not in character but not quite myself either.

"Abigail, this Michael Bowen, he'll be playing your opposite number."

For a moment, I just take in your form; hands clasped and bathed in the searing spotlight. Beauty, at least, has been well cast. Now for the beast.


Feel free to PM me to talk about anything you want to include or avoid.
Hidden 8 yrs ago Post by zeldaz
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I glanced up, watching as the man, Michael, crossed the stage. Looking him up and down, he definitely looked the part of Beast. Taller than me, brooding, not exactly terrifying, but still sent tiny shivers down my spine.
I straightened my posture, hoping I wasn't as small as felt, and reached out my hand to shake.
"Henry, scripts!" The director called out from the seats.
A young boy ran hurried from backstage, holding two thick packets of the paper, barely held together by a single staple. He held them out to each of us before dashing back off stage.
"Okay, we're going to start at the part where Belle was almost attacked by wolves, but Beast stepped in and ended up getting injured. Belle is taking care of him. And Michael, you don't have to roar yet."
I held the script in one hand, and then pretended that I had a rag like the script had written.
"Here now, oh don't do that." I said, gently taking his arm.



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You extend a hand and I take it in both of mine. Perhaps not the best choice, I realise, as my hands are individually larger than both of yours and utterly dwarf them when clasping as a pair. Nevertheless, I give you an easy wink as the stagehand, Henry, hands out scripts.

"Okay, we're going to start at the part where Belle was almost attacked by wolves" It's a fine place to start, I suppose. We can get into character straight away, feel the relationship out without going through the messy opening. Let's get it going then.

Almost mirroring your actions, I swiftly scan the script and then hold it one side as you begin your part. As you touch the 'rag' to my arm, I twist away with a low growl from the back of my throat.

"That Hurts!" I snarl, pitching the tone as hostile but defensive, reinforcing this by turning my 'wounded' arm away from you.
Hidden 8 yrs ago Post by zeldaz
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I pulled his arm back,placing the 'rag' back onto his arm.
"If you'd hold still," I murmured through clenched teeth, loud enough for the people in the front few seats to hear, but low enough to get the idea of stubborn determination with a hint of gentleness. "it wouldn't hurt as much!"
I looked up from his arm to his face, my head tilted with a small frown and a touch of raised eyebrows.
Maybe those years of college paid off.



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With grudging acceptance, I stop pulling my hand away and allow you to tend to it. For a few moments, I keep still and watch you, before pulling away again with an impatient grunt.

"Well if you hadn't run away, this wouldn't have happened!" I spit, once more standing as to prevent you from continuing your tending to my 'wounds'. My injured hand is clasped in the other, held on the far side of my body as I glare over my shoulder at you.
Hidden 8 yrs ago Post by zeldaz
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"Well if you hadn't frightened me, I wouldn't have run away!" I countered, following his action in standing up. My grip on the 'rag' had tightened as I continued frowning, staring up at him.
My eyes darted back to the audience. Though the spotlight hid most of the audience, I could still see the rows where the director and his crew sat. I couldn't see his face very where, but it didn't look as if he hated it. Maybe he even liked it.


Hidden 8 yrs ago Post by Barrett
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When you respond, I violently shake my head in contempt, turn as if to respond and then stop. For a moment, my mouth hangs open and my eyes dart from side to side. Then I turn away and take a few steps away, as if to abandon the conversation.

I use the moment this buys me to glance at the watching director, along with a few of the other members of the production scene. No one seems to be walking out yet, two of them seem to be whispering to each other. Good sign? Who knows.

Suddenly, I turn back, like I've just thought of a retort. Wagging a finger, I say "Well you shouldn't have been in the West Wing!" in a self satisfied, reproachful tone.
Hidden 8 yrs ago → 8 yrs ago Post by zeldaz
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I turned back to the man acting beside me. Watching him begin to walk away, even I believed that the conversation was over. Then he turned back.
"Well you should learn to control your temper!"I snapped back quickly, meeting his eyes for a moment, watching his reaction.
After a moment, I began to move the 'rag' towards his arm."Now, this may sting a little bit" I lightly touched my fingertips to his forearm, imitating touching the rag to a wound.
"By the way, thank you," I said quietly, my head tilted down and away from view. "for saying my life."

Hidden 8 yrs ago Post by Barrett
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Once more, I open my mouth to respond but have nothing to say. With a somewhat defeated sigh, I incline my head and offer my 'injured' arm for treatment. When you warn of a sting, I snort doubtfully but let it turn into a hiss of surprise and anguish as your fingertips touch my arm. I make as if to wrench my arm away but catch your eye and decided against it.

"By the way, thank you," I turn to look at you but your head is downcast. "for saying my life."

I take in the genuine gratitude in your voice and am, for a moment, lost in the character. I snap out of it quickly and say "You are most welcome." with a little gruffness but more feeling than anything else I've blustered about so far.
Hidden 8 yrs ago Post by zeldaz
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There is a pause of silence before a quick and small roud of claps errupt from the few people watching.
"Incredible, almost thought I lost you guys to the stage, bravo! And there is most definitely chemistry between the two, really great work." The director called as he moved from his seat towards the stage. "Rehearsal should start in a week or so, I'll send you all the details!" He grinned up at us, stopping at the edge.
I pulled my arms to my sides, that way I wasn't still tending to the fake wound. I let a small sigh of relief escape as I smiled back.
"You both did a fantastic job, no need to fret yet." He said, tapping the toes of my sneakers. Possibly in an attempt of comfort, though a little strange as he had to hop a little to reach them. "Now go, be free, learn some of your script and I shall see you both next time!" He spoke, turning back around and moving into the group that had been with him in the audience and they all shuffled out and through front doors.
I lingered on stage for a moment, gathering myself back together. I glanced over at Micheal. "You were really good by the way, could really feel the pain. " I said with a small grin. "And since we never properly met, I'm Abby."
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The director's words and motions instantly crack the immersion of the stage, bringing me back to the world with the subtly of a bucket of iced water. For a moment, I almost turn to glower at him but I catch myself, consciously disentangling the Beast parts of the character from who I am. Instead, I smile and accept his praise with a modest nod.

As they shuffle out, I look over at you and give that subtle inclination of the head that, in circles of professionals, means 'nice work'. At your words, I extend a hand to be shook and indicate myself with the other. "And I'm Michael, pleasure to meet you. I think we worked very well together, yes. A few rough edges but we'll knock those off in rehearsal, for sure."
Hidden 8 yrs ago Post by zeldaz
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"For sure."I spoke with a confirming nod. I moved across the stage and down the stairs to the seats. Grabbing my bag from where I had been sitting, I turn back towards Michael.
"So, have you been a lead in anything else?" I asked, gripping the straps of my bag. I figured I should get to know the guy who I would be playing lead besides.
So now would be a better time than any to start.
Hidden 8 yrs ago Post by Barrett
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As you pick up your bag, I take half a moment to check my watch for the time. Four in the afternoon, much earlier than I though. Hmmm...

As you speak, I look up and make a grimace. "Not much, no. I did a few adverts here and there, plus a bunch of antagonist roles." Ruefully running a hand through my beard, I shrug. "It's been a lean few years and no mistake, hopefully things will be looking up from now on."

I step down from the stage and start wandering towards the exit, guessing you'll fall in beside me. "How about you, anything big before this?"
Hidden 8 yrs ago Post by zeldaz
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I shook my head, moving to step into stride besides him. "Mostly ensemble parts, a side role here and there. I actually used to be more of a stage crew person, somehow I found myself center stage and here I am. " Shrugging, I glanced back up at him. " I think you'll make a good protagonist." Another confirming nod as I looked forward to push open the door.
The Lotus Theater was a new theater. The lights all still worked and it was fresh in the people's eyes of the theatrical world. They seemed to expect a lot out of the place as it was located in Seattle, just by the Broadway Center. That put a lot of pressure not only on the location, but the people running and performing there as well.
"Do you think we'll be able to put on a good show?"
Hidden 8 yrs ago Post by Barrett
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I chuckle at your words and run my fingers through my beard. "I think this did a lot of the work for me in the audition, but you're kind to say so. You make a very convincing beauty."

I follow you out onto the street, breathing in the smell of the city. It's different to my birthplace, less salt and brine, but still feels like home. I do my best not to think about the building we're walking out of though, given its prestigious position.

"Oh, I've no doubt we'll put on a good one. We'll just have to hope that we get a good audience."
Hidden 8 yrs ago Post by zeldaz
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"I'm sure of it, probably get a lot of family audiences, especially since its Beauty and the Beast. Probably a lot of kids too, those are always the cutest audience members." I said with a grin, thinking back to one of my high school productions."We did Cinderella back in my hometown, and all the little kids wanted to meet her afterwards, it was one of the cutest things."
I glanced both ways as we reached the street. Traffic was full as usual, and people lined the streets as they walked to their destinations. I glanced back at the man standing next to me. Maybe we should get to know each other a little more before we have to truly sink into our roles.
"I was planning on heading downtown for dinner, a new little place down on the pier, you don't happen to have any plans I could steal you away from? "

Hidden 8 yrs ago Post by Barrett
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I nod, thinking of my own first experiences in drama and internally cringing. "We had something similar when I did a pantomime, the cast hung out in the lobby afterwards in costume. The kids loved it though I was playing the villain so they shouted at me a lot." I chuckle at the last part and put on a face of feigned offence.

But at your offer, I drop the silly expression and nod. "Nothing particularly pressing, no. Dinner on the pier sounds lovely."
Hidden 8 yrs ago Post by zeldaz
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"Wonderful! " I grinned, turnings towards the way to the pier.
"Thought I should learn a bit more about the beast to my beauty." I glanced back at him, pushing my hair back over my shoulder.
Though we hadn't gotten the full script yet, I figured that somewhere in the future, there would be a scene where we would be much closer than just cleaning wounds. In that scene, I would at least like to know where his hometown was, or anything besides only his name.
"So, tell about some of your villain appearances."
Hidden 8 yrs ago Post by Barrett
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Thinking something similar, I step after you towards the pier and offer the crook of my arm for you to hold.

"Well, most weren't particularly glamourous. Villain roles in pantomimes are just sneaking up behind the main characters very obviously so that kids can scream 'he's behind you!' to their heart's content. I played Bill Sykes in a production of Oliver Twist put on a few years ago, that was quite something."

I run a hand through my beard. "That's when I first grew this, actually. Seems to help me with getting roles as bad people or, as we've just seen, beasts. But how about you, what was your favourite gig before landing this one?
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