Story of My Life

Matinee

Setting:

The Rosen-Leigh Theatre Academy of the Gifted and Talented, New York City, winter 2008

Characters:

Adelia Danielle Teresa Rosen-Leigh — fifteen-year-old granddaughter of Greta Rosen and Franklin Leigh

Sarah Veeland — sixteen-year-old girl from Maryland, visiting uncle and aunt in New York for the winter

Becca Randall — fifteen-year-old girl girl who just got accepted into the academy

Tarah Estelle Lulita — fifteen-year-old daughter of world-famous fashion designer

Bella Reece Nolia — sixteen-year-old girl who got the leading role for the past five years

Greta Rosen — co-creator of the academy, now the musical director

Franklin Leigh — co-creator of the academy, now the acting director

Nina Corales — graduate at the academy, now the choreographer

James Lucas Greer — fifteen-year-old boy who has snagged the male lead role since his first audition

Matt Benson — producer of the plays, principal of the academy

Savannah Gonzales — new teacher at the academy

Troy Conner — a sixteen-year-old boy who has just enough experience to be accepted into the academy

 

Scene 1

Setting: hallway of The Rosen-Leigh Theatre Academy of the Gifted and Talented, filled with students (extras), and all characters except for adults

Matt Benson (over intercom): Hello students and welcome back to the Rosen-Leigh Theatre Academy of the Gifted and Talented. I hope you had a great summer and are ready to get back to another terrific year here. We have planned many productions this year. I am proud to announce that last year’s productions all received incredible reviews, and I hope we can continue our high standards. Our first play this year will be The Life and Times of Julianne Montgomery. All of you will discuss the audition date during your Drama Career Class. So, go break a leg!

Bella Reece Nolia (to Adelia): That just gets cheesier and cheesier every year! Doesn’t it?

Adelia Danielle Teresa Rosen-Leigh (bitterly):Like you could make a better announcement.

Bella (shrugs): Are you auditioning for the play?

Adelia: Of course! I mean, I already got the lead role. My grandparents are judging this year.

Bella: They judge every year. You only got the lead part once, and we usually have seven plays a year!

Adelia: True, but that’s only because they never appreciated my talent because they only see me as a reckless teenager. That’s probably why I got the lead as Gina in The Wild Life. This year, I totally changed my whole appearance. I’m very mature and serious about my work. I’m a Rosen-Leigh! I have a reputation to uphold. That’s why I will no longer associate with you until after the audition.

Bella: What? You’re not going to talk to me? Excuse me when I say this, but what idiot gave you that idea?

Adelia: I thought of it myself, thank you very much. The one production I starred in was during the time when you and I were fighting with each other. When you weren’t my friend, I felt the need to be better than you, and got that role without any problem.

Bella: Okay, whatever. If you want to believe your little theory, than go right ahead.

Adelia walks away from Bella.

Bella: Wait! You’re really not even going to speak with me?

Adelia: Unless it’s work-related, than no.

Bella (rolls her eyes): Okay, do what you want to. We’ll see who’s talking when I get the lead role.

END SCENE

Scene 2

Setting: Drama Career Class, the auditorium, all characters are there, and some other students (extras)

Matt: Alright. Welcome to Drama Career Class. I am Mr. Benson, the principal here at the Rosen-Leigh Academy. For all of you returning students, you already know the deal. For the new students, I would like to introduce you to Greta Rosen and Franklin Leigh.

Auditorium erupts in applause and cheers.

Franklin Leigh: Hello, I am Franklin Leigh. Greta Rosen is my lovely wife, and together, we created The Rosen-Leigh Theatre Academy of the Gifted and Talented. This community would not be complete without the help of Nina Corales, so would Nina please join us up on the stage?

Nina leaves seat and gets on stage. Audience claps again.

Nina Corales: Hi, I’m Nina and I’m the choreographer at the Rosen-Leigh Academy. I went to school here too, and I had such an amazing experience that I decided to return and help other students like you reach your goals.

Adelia (leans forward and whispers to Bella): My grandparents told me that she just couldn’t find work because she wasn’t very talented, so she came back here.

Bella (whispers back to Adelia): Really? Wait, I thought you weren’t speaking to me.

Adelia sits back in seat and pays attention again to Nina.

Nina: I am really looking forward to working with each and every one of you. We will be meeting together a lot, especially if you audition for the play. I think I’m speaking for all of us when I say that I am excited to help find our new Julianne Montgomery.

Nina steps back from microphone and Greta steps forward.

Greta Rosen: Now, I think we all need to discuss the topic of the play. Last year, we had the auditions and practices after school. After a lot of consideration, we thought finally came to the conclusion that we should no longer continue doing this. Since this is a school dedicated to the arts, we thought it would be pointless to make our students perform after school when they should get as much as possible out of the regular school day. Therefore, we decided that auditions and practices will be held during school.

Audience claps.

Greta: Because of the added activity, we made a class out of it. If you choose to be a part of it, the class “Theatrical Production” will be added to your schedule. It will take up the time of two regular classes. Because of its length, you will need to drop two classes. We are required to teach you mathematics, so any class besides that and lunch can be removed from your schedule.

Franklin steps up to microphone as Greta returns to stand beside Nina.

Franklin: We need to know the classes you drop by next Monday. We’re giving you a full week to decide. If you like, you could take one of our night courses to make up the classes you drop. However, the courses are completely optional. We are aware that you are busy with after-school activities, and that was the main reason that we decided to hold the auditions and practices during the day. Since you are already in school, we hope that we can have more people audition, bringing more fresh talent to star in the plays.

Franklin smiles and nods to Matt.

Matt: Thank you Mr. Leigh, Ms. Rosen, and Miss Corales. Let’s give them a round of applause.

Auditorium aplauds. Franklin, Greta, and Nina leave auditorium.

Matt: At this time, I would like to introduce you to your teacher, Miss Gonzalez.

Miss Gonzalez walks to microphone from behind curtain. Students clap.

Savannah Gonzalez: Hello I am Miss Gonzalez. I can take it from here, Mr. Benson.

Matt walks out of auditorium.

Savannah: Alright, let me start over. I’m Miss Gonzalez, but call me Savannah. Miss Gonzalez makes me seem old.

A few students chuckled in the audience.

Savannah: I’m new here, in case you didn’t know, so I don’t know any of you. Why don’t we all get to know each other? Everyone stand in a semi-circle up here and tell us what you like and don’t like. And please, don’t say that you like acting, singing, and dancing. We all know you do. That’s why you’re here.

Students join Savannah on stage and make semi-circle facing audience.

Savannah: I’ll start. I’m Savannah Gonzalez and I’m a new teacher here at the Rosen-Leigh Academy. I like to write plays and I love gymnastics. I hate soccer! Now…how about you?

Becca Randall: I’m Rebecca Randall, but please call me Becca. I’m a new student here: this was the first year I got accepted. I like gummy bears and watching movies, and I don’t like sports.

Adelia: I am Adelia Danielle Teresa Rosen-Leigh and my grandparents created this school. I am a talented actress and I am auditioning for a Broadway play sometime this week. I am very serious about my work, and therefore have no other likes. However, I strongly dislike people who set me back from doing my best (glances at Bella).

Tarah Estelle Lulita: I’m Tarah Estelle Lulita, and yes, my mother is the fashion designer. Although my mother always encouraged me to take interest in fashion, in bores me to death, and I somehow found a passion for theater. I am a new student here, but I used to attend a theatre school in Paris when Mommy and I lived there. I like to write poetry and dance, and I hate modeling. My mother used to force me to those classes every day, it was not a good experience.

Savannah (looks out the door): Can I help you?

Sarah Veeland: Ummm…. no thanks. I’m just looking around.

Adelia (to Sarah): Are you lost?

Sarah: No, I’m just checking out the place (laughs).

Adelia (rolls her eyes): Are you even a student here?

Sarah: Well, not yet. I —

Adelia: Then please leave!

Savannah: Adelia! How rude of you! Sarah, please, come join us.

Sarah: Well I don’t know if —

Savannah: I insist. I’m Savannah. So why are you here?

Sarah: Well, I live in Maryland, and I was visiting my grandparents. I wanted to try out one of the acting courses in New York, because I heard they were phenominal, so my grandparents told me that there was a theatre school here. So I came, and I figured out that it was an actual school, and it doesn’t offer any after school courses.

Savannah: So, are you enrolling here?

Sarah: Well I can’t—

Adelia: Can’t what? Act? That I could tell just by looking at you.

Sarah (confidently): I meant I can’t enroll…today. But tomorrow I will.

Sarah leaves auditorium. Adelia rolls her eyes.

Savannah: Adelia, please don’t be so rude. She could have more talent than you.

Adelia: More talent than me? Please! Don’t make me start laughing.

END SCENE

 Scene 3

Setting: A kitchen. Sarah is sitting filling out a paper, aunt and uncle (extras) eating dinner beside her

Aunt: Sarah dear, you really should put that away. Your dinner is getting cold.

Sarah: Okay, just a minute. I’m filling out an application.

Uncle (grumpily): For what?

Aunt: Well, while she’s with us, she’s going to go to a theatre school.

Uncle: Theatre school, huh?

Sarah: Yeah. I’m very excited because I’ve always wanted—

Uncle (to aunt): And how much is it costing us?

Aunt (rolling her eyes): Not a penny. Your sister is paying.

Uncle (nodding): Hmmph.

Sarah: How long can I stay with you?

Aunt: You’re supposed to be staying with us for 6 weeks, while your mother is visiting her friend.

Sarah: Do you think I could finish the school year out here, ya know, with you?

Aunt: Sure, if it’s alright with your mother.

Uncle shoots aunt glaring look. Sarah smiles.

Sarah: Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!

There is a knock at the door. Uncle looks at Sarah.

Uncle (to Sarah): Are you gonna get that?

Sarah: Oh me? Oh, ummm sure.

Sarah opens the door. Adelia is there.

Adelia: Hi are Mr. And Mrs. Tolson here? Wait, why do you look so familiar?

Sarah (studying Adelia): You look familiar too.

Adelia: Oh now I know why! You’re that girl that walked into the Academy today and interrupted class.

Sarah: Oh, I’m sorry about that.  I didn’t know it was an actual school, and I wanted to see if they offered any classes and—

Adelia: Well, we don’t.

Sarah: I know, and that’s why I’m enrolling.

Adelia: You can’t get in now! It’s impossible, especially without talent, and it doesn’t look like you’ve got any.

Sarah (ignoring Adelia’s comment): So why are you here anyway?

Adelia: Mr. and Mrs. Tolson—

Sarah: My aunt and uncle…

Adelia: Your aunt and uncle are in a book club with my grandparents. And they picked out the book this week. And my grandma told me to come over here and get it because she missed the last meeting. She had to drive me to acting lessons.

Sarah: Oh, so you’re not that good either?

Adelia: Are you serious? I am the best actress that school has ever seen! My grandparents did create it, after all.

Sarah: Okay, okay. Let me go get my aunt.

Sarah walks away from the door. Adelia glances inside, then steps in the doorway. Sarah walks back with her aunt.

Aunt: Oh Adelia! What a pleasure it is to see you. Are you here to pick up your grandmother’s book?

Adelia (sweetly): Yes I am. Do you have it?

Aunt: Of course. Just a moment.

Aunt walks to bookshelf and pulls a book out.

Aunt: Here you go.

Sarah (looking over at book): ‘Curtain Call’. Oh I read that book at high school back in Maryland.

Aunt: Did you? Don’t spoil it! I’m still in the middle of it.

Adelia: Well, thank you Mrs. Tolson.

Adelia leaves. Aunt turns to Sarah.

Aunt: That Adelia… she seems so sweet, but I think she’s just acting.

Sarah: You have no idea.

END SCENE.

Scene Four

Setting: Rosen-Leigh Theatre Academy of the Gifted and Talented, music room.

Adelia: Can you believe it? That girl who showed up here yesterday is Mrs. Tolson’s neice. I can see how she’s like Mr. Tolson, that grumpy old man, but Mrs. Tolson is too nice to be related to her.

Bella: So you are talking to me now?

Adelia: What does it look like I’m doing!

Bella (rolls her eyes): Well, I thought she was kind of nice.

Adelia: Yeah, you probably would.

Bella glares at Adelia.

Adelia: Whatever. I have more important things to worry about that Sarah girl.

Bella: Yeah? Like what? Getting the lead in the play?

Adelia: Um, duh! I have my singing voice perfect. I’ve been practicing every day since school started back in September.

Bella: Me too. And I’ve danced for a half hour every day.

Adelia: Good, so maybe you can be a back-up singer this year. You’re acting isn’t so great anyway.

Bella: Yeah, whatever Adelia.

Adelia: Sorry, Bell, but it’s the truth.

Bella sighs.

END SCENE.