"Meredith. Oh, there's Allie calling in. She got Velma."
"So cool, tell her I said congrats. And thank you, James, for calling."
"Of course. I can't wait, chica."
"Me neither!"
"Oh, and Drew is Mama."
"I knew it, she was amazing."
"I know. Okay, bye, talk to you soon," he said in a hurry.
"Okay, thanks, bye," I said, equally as quickly.
I went straight home to check everything for myself. I went inside and made my coffee before looking at my phone. I was nervous to see it, and I held my breath as I stood in my kitchen and stared at my phone. I went to my email first because I could see that I had some new ones. Sure enough, there was an email from Collin with a subject line that said: Congratulations to the cast of Chicago!
My heart pounded as I opened it and began to read.
Hello to the beautiful cast of Chicago! I am delighted and honored to direct you all in what is sure to be an amazing show! I want to thank you all for doing such a remarkable job this weekend at auditions. You worked so hard, and I want you to know that I have not taken these casting decisions lightly. I know it is going to be a beautiful show, and I look forward to working with each and every one of you. I've included the names and contact information of our creative team. I am completely pumped to be your director! Here's to Chicago! I'll see you at our first rehearsal on Tuesday.
Sincerely,
Collin Koontz
I read it thoroughly before opening the link that was pasted below his name. There was a series of four graphics, and my name was near the top of the second one. I blinked in amazement at my name, Audrey Wells, written in fancy font next to the name Mona.
I had a role.
I had responsibility in this play.
I knew about Mona from being around these people all day yesterday. She had a solo section in one of the songs. She had singing and dancing to do by herself, and my heart pounded at the thought of it.
I got a role.
It took several minutes to sink in, and after that, I found that I wanted to tell everyone I knew. Carly and the rest of my crew at the restaurant would love to know, but I would give them the day to sleep late and wait till tomorrow at work to tell them.
I called my sister, and she was excited for me. She was interested, and she asked me a few questions, but we were off the phone within a few minutes. I went to my computer and watched the jail scene with Mona about five times in a row after that. Iwas a bit intimidated by it, but I had to remember that I had a couple of months to learn my role and rehearse with my co-stars.
I stared at the cast list again, remembering all the different names from yesterday and feeling excited about how good this play was going to be. I knew the choreographer for our show would have something different for me to do, but that didn't stop me from watching the other version again and trying some of her moves. I was excited, scared, and all the things that came along with trying something completely new.
It was a little while later, and Luna was still at school when I decided to text Ash Adams and tell him the news.
Me:
Hey, it's Audrey. I had talked to you about it before, so I wanted to update you that I got a role in Chicago. It's a side character, but I'm pumped about it!
I hit send without thinking too much about it, and my phone dinged a few seconds later.
Ash:
Way to go, Audrey! When's the show? I'm coming!
Me:
The last weekend in February. I think it's playing Thursday through Sunday.
Ash:
