Into the Spotlight

ACT ONE

Act One Scene One

I open my eyes to the glare of incredibly bright lights. The floor is cool and smooth, the air is still. A hush
descends over the two thousand people sitting on the edge oftheirseatsastheconductorcuesthefinalwistfulnoteof
the overture. Anticipation hangs in the air, a curtain so heavy it brushes everyone in the room. The lightsintensify
along with the noise, building,building,building,untilitssuddenlyblackandsilentonceagain.Myfirstnotefloats
out of my mouth, high, soaring, fleeting. Welcome to my dream come true.

Really, Leigh? Sam asked incredulously as he finished reading aloud. Seems a little...
dramatic.
Thats exactly the point! Im applying to theater school,theyrelookingfordramaineverything
I submit, papers, tapes, everything. Leigh groaned and flopped back across her mattress, brushing her
short, choppy bangs out of her eyes. She tossed the thick packet onto Sams lap, throwing her arms up
over her face with a sigh of frustration.
Sam thumbed throughthepages,quirkingatellingeyebrowathisfriend.Leighturnedherhead
away, toward the wall of her dingy apartment in New York City. She mumbled, Is it really that bad? I
need this to be perfect, I need it to get me into this school Leigh had applied to one of the most
prestigious performing arts schools in the country, the American AcademyofDramaticArts,anditwas
her dream to become a stage actress. It made her sick to her stomach to think of doing anything else
with her life other thansinging,acting,ordancing.Theatrewasherpassion.Sheoftenlosttrackoftime
immersing herself in daydreams of performing on a Broadway stage, just a few blocks away from her
apartment.
Sam sneezed, bringing Leigh back to the gray apartment, sprinkled withsplashesofcolorfrom
the throwpillowslayingontherippedcouch.Youreallydoneedthispaper,becauseifyoukeeplivingin
this dump, youre not going to be nearly healthy enough togetclosetolandinganaudition.Hell,Ineed
you to get into this school so I can move out! The mold spores in here trigger my allergies, not to
mention Pipis fur.
Well, I think that the dramatic opening to my paper will certainly grab their attention. Id
rather be put off because Im too dramatic than because I dont showenoughemotion.Leighgroaned,
completely drained from the realization that maybe her paper would never be good enough, that she
might never be good enough, to get into the school of her dreams.
Maybe you could talk to Mrs. Simens, shell know exactly what they look for in submission
papers.
No, I already asked her to work overtime after class to help me practice my audition tape
program. Im not gonna ask her to spend any more of her time on me. Speaking of class, there was
something I... She trailed off. Oh, shit! Iamsolate!Ihavetogo!Leighrolledoffhermattressandslid
onto the bench at the foot of her bed, grabbing her tap shoes andherwaterbottleawayfromherrabbit
hopping around the apartment. Dont let Pipi eat my paper or my shoes, make sure you turn the stove
offwhenyouuseitthistime,anddontdoanythingstupidwhileImout!shecalledoverhershoulderas
she shot out the door, pulling it shut behind her. As she ran down the steps outside the apartment
building, she missed Sam grinning at his friends frazzled expression and, glancing down, sliding the
paper away from the little white rabbit.

Act One Scene Two

Leigh slipped through the open doorway into the studio and slid her bag onto abenchnearthe
door.SorryImlate,IwasreviewingmyfinalsubmissionfortheAcademy,LeighsaidtoMrs.Simens,a
petite older woman with long gray hair wrapped into a tight bun. Mrs. Simens was Leighs drama and
vocal coach, and Leigh thought of her almost as a grandmother, thoughshewouldneveractuallyadmit
to it.
Mrs. Simens smiled back, ducking her head to whisper surreptitiously in Leighs direction. I
wouldnt go bragging about this to just anyone, but I feel that you, my dear,haveaverygoodchanceof
getting into that school. Next time, though,makesuretogettoclassontime,otherwiseyoumightneed
to strike punctual off your resume list of character traits! She straightened her head and smiled,
pushed a few stray strands of hair into her bun, then clapped her hands to get everyones attention.
Spinning away from Leigh, Mrs. Simens announced, Alright, class. Today we will be focusing
on what I think is the most poignant emotion in the world of theatre: sadness,suchasdespairorgrief.
You all, no doubt, have attended the performance of a show where the actors portrayal of a character
was so exposed and accessible that it brought tears to your eyes,andthatiswhatwewillbeworkingon
today.Shesweptovertowardsatableinthecornerofthestudiowheretherewerestacksofscriptsfrom
assorted plays and musicals piled high. She picked one up and thumbed through until she found the
page she was looking for.
I have selected monologues and dialoguefromsomeofthemoretouchingmomentsofafewof
my favorite shows that I feelportraythecharactersspecificsadnessesexceedinglywell.Youwillpairup
in groups of either two orthreeandreadthroughthepassageswitheachother.Actitout,asthoughyou
were performing while reading off of a teleprompter. As Mrs. Simens explained the activity, the
scattered students went to stand next to their designated partners. She stopped them all with a single
snap of her fingers, saying, Ah-ah-ah, not so fast. You must work with someone youve never read a
dialogue with before. For example, well have, hm... Leigh, work with Gabi. She clapped once more,
dismissing them to their reading.
Leigh sighed inwardly, but she reminded herself that she was an actress. She could at least
pretend to enjoy working with Gabriella DeVite, even if she was stuck-up about her parents stage
success. She made her way over to where Gabi was standing next to the table covered in scripts.
Oh, look whos here. She cant even be bothered toshowforclassontime,howssheevergoing
to make it into AADA? Gabis tone dripped with sarcasm as she sniggered along with her friends. She
had also applied to the Academy, and there seemed to be nothing she delighted in more than making
Leigh doubt if she would ever be accepted into her dream school. Sheflippedherlongauburnhairover
her shoulder, wrapping it around her fingers as she surveyed Leighs dirty Converse, ripped jeans and
torn Wicked sweatshirt with disdain.
 Leigh just smiled. So, what scripts are you thinking about reading through? I see some Dear
Evan Hansen, a copy of Into the Woods She said as she slipped past Gabis friends,carefulnottobump
into any one of them, and sifted through the pile of scripts.
Fine, whatever. Gabi sounded vaguely annoyed, perhaps because her commentsdidntappear
to have bothered Leigh in the slightest. Leigh, however, felt hollow and sick to her stomach. She never
felt as unsure of herself as when Gabi was around, because Gabi was so apparently confident. Her
parentshadbothbeenstarsofthescreenintheiryouth,soGabiactedlikeshewasbornforthespotlight,
or rather, the spotlight existed to shine on her. Leigh just reinforced the grin on her lips and grabbed
several scripts. She steeled herself for the inevitable criticism and walked over to the edgeofoneofthe
benches. This was going to be a long day.

Act One Scene Three

Leighclosedthedoortoherapartment,droppedherkeyontothedeskbythedoorandsliddown
to sit on the ground, sittingbackagainstthedoor.Sheleanedherheadbackagainstthedoorandclosed
her eyes, willing the tears not to slip out from her lids. She had just gotten back from one ofherdance
classes, and Gabi haddonenothingbutcriticizehercoordinationalldaylong.Ithadbeenamonthsince
shed been late to class, and the comments had been getting worse and worse every day. Leigh told
herself that shedidntcarewhatGabithought,butsheknewdeepdownthatshedidcare,becauseGabis
comments reached straight into her core and pulled out all of her insecurities. She justsatthereonthe
floor for several minutes, breathing and wishing the tears to disappear, until Sam opened the door
behind her and she fell backwards into the hallway. Shelaysprawledonthefloor,halfinandhalfoutof
the apartment, too caught up in trying not to cry to get up.
Woah, Leigh, what the hell are you -- hey, are you okay? Sam asked, reaching over her to put
the paper bag he was carrying down before helping her up.
Yeah, yeah, Im okay, Leigh said, standing up and brushingherleggingsoff.Shebentdownto
brush off her shins and quickly dragged her fingers under her eyes, hoping she looked normal. Just
thinking. On the floor. You should really try it sometime. Its surprisingly effective.
Yeah, sure. You look like you were crying... are you positive youre okay? Sam reached up and
wiped under her eye, the pad of his thumb turning grey with smeared mascara.
Oh, that. Thats nothing, Im fine. Leigh grabbed a tissue and wiped it under her eyes, then
tossed it into the trash and reached down to slide offherballetflats.Itsnothing,Gabiwasjustbeinga
complete jerk again today, its fine.
Sam reached and touched her shoulder, drawing her in for a hug. She let out a shuddering
breath and leaned her forehead on his shoulder, taking comfort in the knowledge that no matter what
Gabi thought of her, Sam would always be there to help her believe in herself.
Well, you know what I think?
What, whatdoyouthink,SamMisson?Andpleasedontletitbeadeepphilosophicalstatement
about life, because I dont think I could possibly handle that right now.Leighdrewbackoutofthehug
and sat down at the tiny table in the equally smallkitchen,smoothingherhandsoverherfrizzy,sweaty
hair.
 I think that you should check out todays mail, because Ibroughtitupfromthelobbyafteryou
left this morning, and theressomethingthereIthinkyoureallyhavetosee.Samcockedhisheadatthe
stack of envelopes on the table.
Did the electricity bill come? I told you, you have to stop leaving the lights on all the time
Leigh trailed off, her eyes catching a pale yellow envelope with part of anofficial-lookingsealonit.She
froze, glanced up at Sam, and registered his knowing smile as she was already tearing the envelope
open. She unfolded the paper inside, scanned it for the words she had been dreaming about since she
was ten, and as Sam watched, her face fell.
What does it say? he asked worriedly, as she straightened the letter out on the table.
She looked up at him and back down at the paper with her face still somber, then in a split
second she was beaming wider than she ever had before. I got in! Leigh whispered, then she said it
louder,againandagain.Ididit,Igotin!shesquealed,jumpingoutofherchairandthrowingherarms
around Sam, jumping up and down with the excitement of a child on Christmas morning. She almost
didnt notice the bunny hopping around her feet, and with a breathless laugh, she scooped her up and
cradled her like a baby. Hear that, Pipi-pet? Were going to AADA! I did it! She nuzzled her nose into
Pipis fur and set her back downontheground,straighteninguptomeetSamsgazeoncemore.Thank
you, Sam,thankyousomuch.Icouldneverhaddonethiswithoutyou.Shegrinned,wrappingherarms
around him.
Sam laughed. She felt it rumble through his chest before he pushed her to arms length and
squeezed her shoulders. You did this, all on your own. Im so proud of you.
Leigh ran her hands through her hair oncemorebeforegrabbingtheletterandskippingoverto
the shabby couch. She floppedoverthearmsoherlegswerestickingupintheairandbeganreadingthe
letter out loud. As she got to the end, Sam sat down on the couch nexttoher.Whendoesthesemester
start? he asked. Youll probably need to move into a dorm or something, and Ill need a new
roommate
Leigh grinned and sat up. Thats thebestthing,Sam,shesaidexcitedly.Iwonthavetomove!
I can take the subway to my classes, and then you wont have to find a new roommate.
Sam stood up. Well, I guess Ill just have to put this back, then... he said with exaggerated
disappointment, pulling Leighs suitcase out from behind the couch. Shelaughed,thenwentandbegan
putting her dance things away, still reeling from the emotional roller coaster her day had turned into.

Act One Scene Four

Leigh sighed as she leafed through the papers covering the table in her kitchen. Sam was
watching reruns of old dance movies on the television in the other side oftheroom,andLeighcouldnt
concentrate on studying for her finalexamsofherlastyearofschool.Graduationwaslessthanamonth
away, and Leigh was going to make sure that her final results reflected how much she loved what she
did.
Sam, do you mind watching that in the other room? I cant focus with that distracting, and I
have to study for my exams today or I never will.
Sam threw his arm dramatically over his face and said in a Shakespearean voice, I cannot, for
the movie I so deeply love and care for is just beginning, and if I move, I daresay I may miss it
 Leigh groaned and put her head in her hands. How have I survived two years in the same
apartment as you?
Sam didnt answer, just laughed and settled himself deeper into the couch. Leigh sighed again
and tried again to immerse herself back into her studies.

Act One Scene Five

A collective cheerwentupasseveralhundredgraduationcapsflewupintheair.Beneaththesea
of falling caps, Leigh was cheering along with Sam, Mrs. Simens, and a few of her classmates. Mrs.
Simens drew Leigh aside as the cheers faded into an excited buzz, and said, Congratulations, Leigh! I
knew you had that special something in you from the start, and Im so proud that youve realized it too.
Leigh smiled and gave her a hug. I couldnt have done this without your help and
encouragement, and I hope you know how grateful I am for all of your help over the years.
Mrs. Simens squeezed Leigh tighter, whispering I have some big news for you. When youre
done partying tonight, send me a text and Ill come over to your apartment and tell you all about it.
Leigh pulled away as Samtappedhershoulder.ShegaveMrs.SimensaquestioninglookasSam
pulled her back towards the celebration. Mrs. Simens just winked, then turned to shake another girls
hand, clearly not revealing anything else until later that night. Leigh resolved not to think of it until
later, and she turned away with Sam to rejoin their friends and the celebrating.

END OF ACT ONE

Act Two Scene One

A knock sounded at the door, and Leigh and Sam both looked up at the same time. Leigh
unfolded her limbs from herpositiononthecouchandlimpedovertothedoor.Shepulleditopentosee
Mrs. Simens eyes sparkling from above a maroon scarf. Leigh walked her over to the table,andshesat
down as Sam turned off the television and came over to lean against the counter next to them. Leigh
began pulling out the kettle and tea bags for some hot drinks on the chilly evening.
So, you had news for me? Leigh asked, unsure if she wanted to get her hopes up or not.
Mrs.Simensnodded,thengesturedtothefootLeighwasfavoring.Ido,butfirstIneedtoknow
what you did to your leg, young lady! My news may depend onwhatyouransweris,soIsuggestyougo
first.
Oh, its nothing. I was walking out of graduation, actually, and I stepped in a hole on the
sidewalk wherebrickwasmissing.Dontworry,though,Imonlymissingafewdanceclassesfortherest
of this week. Its just a minor sprain. Leigh sat down with two steaming mugs of peppermint tea in
hand and handed one to Mrs. Simens.
Well, if thats all it is, I suppose my news doesnt have to wait any longer.Mrs.Simensplaced
her mug down and spread her hands on the tabletop. Do you remember that audition that you got
called back for?
Of course she remembers!
Mrs. Simens and Leigh stared at Sam. What? Leigh said with a confused look to Mrs. Simens.
 Sorry, just got excited therepleasecontinue!Samsaidapologetically,albeitbouncingupand
down on his tiptoes.
Mrs. Simens cleared her throat and repositioned her hands on the table. Anyways, I got a call
from the directors today. They cast you as the lead actress understudy! Rehearsals start next week.
Leigh froze,amultitudeofemotionsflittingacrossherfeaturesinasplitsecond.Shestuttereda
few times, finally whispering, I got the part?
Mrs. Simens nodded, a smile spreading her lips.
Leigh started to laugh, then she realized what this meant for her. She began toshake,slopping
tea over the sides of her mug. Sam swooped in and placed themugonthetable.Hegrabbedherhands,
and Leigh started to cry. She wasnt sure if it was because she was happy, or because she was relieved,
but shed never felttheemotionsthatwerereelinginsideherrightnow.Samwaswhisperingsomething
into her hands as he pressed them together, but she wasntregisteringanythinganymore.Mrs.Simens
was explaining something that looked like it could be important, but Leigh was too shocked to
understand much other than Gabi and Monday. She was still shaking. Sam finally pulled her into a
hug. She couldnt believe it.
She had done it.

Act Two Scene Two

Leigh opened the door onto her future. After a week of wondering what rehearsal wasgoingto
be like, she was finally here, atherfirsteverrealrehearsal!Therewerepeopleeverywhere,millingabout
and talking amongst themselves. Shescannedthecrowdforafamiliarface,anyface,andhergazecame
to rest on Gabi?! Leigh almost did a double take, then resigned herself toworkingwithGabieveryday
for the next three years. Squaring her shoulders, she strode away from her and kept searching.
She made her way over to a middle-agedmanwholookedmoreofficiallydressedthantheother
people in the room, and asked, Is there someone I should see about where Isignin?MynameisLeigh
Graham, I was cast as the understudy for Camille Robinsons role.
The man looked frazzled, but as she explained who she was, he relaxed alittleandgrabbedata
clipboard on the table behind him. Welcome, Leigh. Im Dr. Chance, but you can call me Chancey.
Everyone ends up doing it eventually, he said. Leigh liked him immediately, withhisprofessor-likeair
and friendly demeanor. He pointed outaroomdownanarrowhallwaynexttothetable,andshefiledin
with the crowd, who had all moved towards the door as Chancey pointed. They assembled in frontofa
woman in yogapantsandacutofftshirtdisplayingaPhantomoftheOperalogo.Shebegantoexplainhow
rehearsals would work for the next several weeks, and as Leigh typed some quicknotesintoherphone,
she was embarrassed to admit that she was impatienttofinallystandonthatstage,evenifshedidhave
to share the spotlight with Gabi.
After the talk was over, the woman finally asked the question that Leigh had been waiting her
whole life to hear.Now,whosreadytobeonstage?sheasked,raisingherhandstospreadherarmsout
wide. Leigh cheered along with everyone in the room, and the girl standing next to her nudged her
shoulder.
Is this your first time? she asked, her medium-length blond hair wrapped up in a messy knot.
Its that obvious? Yeah, Im new, fresh out of school. My names Leigh. Leigh stuck her hand
out.
 Cool. Imnewtoo.MynamesRenee,buteveryonecallsmeRicky.Dontaskmewhy!Rickytook
Leighs hand and shookit,thentheybothglanceduptoseethateveryonehadalreadymovedonthrough
the hall to the stage. Damn, late already! Come on. Renee slung her messenger bag over hershoulder
and jogged towards the backstage door. Leigh followed her.
Leigh gasped as she took her first steps onto the biggest stageofherlife.Thetheaterseemedto
go on for forever, stretchingsofarupthatLeighwasdizzylookingatit.Shespunaroundinacircle,just
breathing in the feeling of beingonareal,trueBroadwaystage.Sheheardagiggle,andopenedhereyes
to see Ricky quickly school her face into an expression of calm indifference. Rickys eyes twinkled,
though, and Leigh rolled her eyes at her. She looked around again just to take it all in. She couldnt
believe that she was actually here, and no one elses thoughtsabouther,notevenGabiscriticism,could
ever come close to tarnishing the golden glow of this one magical moment.

Act Two Scene Three

Leigh took a deep breath, the last of several. She opened her eyes to glimpse the glare of
incredibly bright lights. The floor was cool and smooth, the air was still.Ahushdescendedoverthetwo
thousand people sitting on the edge of their seats as the conductor cued the final wistful note of the
overture. Anticipation hung in the air, a curtain so heavy it brushed everyone in the room. The lights
intensified along with the noise, building,building,building,untilitwassuddenlyblackandsilentonce
again. From backstage, Leigh heard Camilles first notes swell out of her mouth, low, rumbling,
powerful, climbing up and up until the orchestra filled in the silence beneath the melody. The first
melody never failed to give Leigh chills, and as the lights came up, she knew for certain that this was
what she had been born to do. As she bounced on her toes, and shook out thetensioninhershoulders,
the lights came on full, and she took her cue. Finally, finally, on that stage. At last, at last.

Act Two Scene Four

Breathless, Leigh stood in her final pose with her hands stretched out in the air, the audience
going wild. She could hear the names of several of the mainactorsbeingscreamedbythecrowd,butas
she listened, she could pick out one name heard underthecacophony:hers.Italmostsoundedlike-no,
it couldnt be him. She was carefulnottolettheconfusionanddisappointmentspillacrossherfeatures,
and she told herself to stop hoping for him to come back. He was gone, and she wasnt going to keep
seeing him everywhere. Leigh ranoffstagewiththerestofhercastmembers,stoppingonthewaytoher
dressing room to give Ricky a quick hug. She resolved to think nothing of the misheard cheers, and so
she quickly changed and gathered her things to head back to her apartment. She dreaded going back
there every night. It feltdownrightemptywithSamhavinglefttopursuehisdancinghalfwayacrossthe
world.
As the others sharing her dressing room left, Leigh turned off the lights and shut the door
behind her. As she turned away from the handle, pulling out her water jug to refill it at the fountain,
hands grabbed her from behind and swung her off herfeet.Shebegantoscream,thinkingthatshewas
being attacked, butthensheglancedupasshewounduptothrowapunch.WhatthehellHerscream
died in her throat, and she dropped her bag. Sam? she whispered incredulously.
 Hi, he said with barely restrained excitement. He washoldingabouquetofflowersbehindhis
back, and as Leigh brought her hands up to cover her mouth, her eyes filled with tears. He held the
flowers out to her, and she took them with shakinghands.IdidntknowifIshouldhavetoldyouthatI
was coming back, is this okay? I mean, sorry for almost mugging you on accident
Leigh shook her head quickly and interrupted him, saying, No no no, its fine - youre fine - I
mean, its fine - great - that youre back - here - now - here - why - She finally stopped trying to talk,
dropped the flowers on the ground and threw her arms aroundhisneck.Imjustgladyourehere,she
whispered. So glad youre back.
Me too. Me too, Sam replied into her hair, his arms wrapping around her.
Leigh wanted nothing more than to stay there in the dark with Sam for a few more precious
minutes, drinking in the moments of silence and joy, with everything shed ever wanted there in one
place. So she did.

THE END