A note from Chris James
I don't know how many of you have sat through a high school play, but it can be exhausting to watch. I just try to remind myself that these are beginners, and the first steps are sometimes the hardest. In truth no matter who produces a show, either amateur or professional, there are always the same elements to consider.
This is a story about boys and girls in a performing arts high school. These schools are designed to meet the needs of their students, academically and practically. Theatre, music and film are such competitive artistic fields. It takes a special person to pursue a career in any of the arts.
My characters are always special to me and those in this story are no different. I will give you my two leading characters and a large supporting cast. But it will also give you a unique glimpse behind the scenes in the chaotic, and often invisible, world of technical theatre students.
As always I must tell you my characters are fictional and only represent the lives of people as I see it. But the thoughts and ideas, the long hours of work, and toil these students endure is very real, I was one of them in a past life.
The title of the story will be explained in the later chapters, so pay attention. This is a very real look backstage in theatre because many of the incidents I relate did happen. You get the pleasure of discovering them. No actors died in the writing of this story, but there were some close calls. Chris James, 2010