“I can’t handle this pressure and I don’t feel ready!”
cast and crew headed over to the first of two venues where the show would be performed, The Historic Canton Theatre. Looking at the marquee that read “Annie the Musical, 7:00 pm” made me feel like I was in a dream. The Canton Theatre is small, quaint, and historic: beautiful in every way. Between the antique smell, the red velvet curtains that cascade throughout the building, and the authentic wood stage, it is like a setting out of a movie. But the moment I stepped into the atrium filled with high school students rushing around preparing for the night ahead, my emotions went into a tailspin. I immediately felt the tension in the air of nervously excited fifteen-year-olds charged up with far too much caffeine. Between the people asking me questions and the time crunch, I couldn’t seem to get my head to stop spinning.
much caffeine. Between the people asking me questions and the time crunch, I couldn’t seem to get my head to stop spinning.
By the time I got backstage, a hot and ready curling iron was waiting. People were rushing around and badgering me about hair styles and costumes. I just need everyone to leave me alone or I’m going to burst, I felt as I looked around me. I could feel my face getting red and my eyes rolling, “Everyone out!” I growled. Before my mom could curl one piece of my hair, the tears started flooding out of my eyes.
“What’s wrong? You can’t do this now!” my mom said, trying to rationalize with me.
“I can’t handle this pressure and I don’t feel ready!” I said between sobs.
My mom knelt down beside my chair and said as gently as possible, “You are as ready as you will ever be. Now you just have to push through it. It will all be worth it.”
I continued to cry softly as my dad arrived with mint tea to soothe my throat and a pep
Annie gets a new coat and sings NYC
Annie finding out her parents have passed away
Photos by Jerri Burke
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