“Cast List” by Derek Copenhaver

Living in a haze,

Time stands still.

Checking the door every day,

GAH!

This is the hardest part of any production,

This endless waiting.

I hope I got the part I wanted,

And I’m not alone,

Everyone crowds his door on the day.

He walks out

Everyone crowds closer

He yells us back.

He quickly puts the list on the door and disappears into his room.

We madly rush the door, all wanting to see at once.

She and I hang back, waiting for the crowd to clear.

We calmly approach the door together.

I see my name right above hers.

Let’s rehearse.

“The Audition” by Derek Copenhaver

Week before

We get the packets,

Time to choose cuttings.

Monologue or duet?

She asks me to go with her.

Duet.

Preparing, practicing, performing.

We’re ready.

Called to the stage,

The lights come up.

Fear and anxiety melt

Under the 3000 watt lights,

I’m in the scene.

It ends too quickly,

I get pulled back into reality,

I feel the sensation

Of disbelief in my surroundings

So common to ending a scene.

Now, it’s time to wait.