Before the Chorus
Format: Musical theatre book scene
Approx. length: 1-3 minutes
Original audition scene

INT. BACKSTAGE CORRIDOR - NIGHT

LUCY, in costume, is about to go on. BEN, the stage manager, blocks her path.

BEN
You missed your entrance.

LUCY
I delayed it.

BEN
The audience noticed the empty doorway.

LUCY
Maybe they thought it was symbolic.

BEN
Lucy.

She grips a prop bouquet too tightly.

LUCY
My dad’s here.

BEN
That’s good, isn’t it?

LUCY
He hasn’t seen me perform since I was nine. I was a shepherd. I had one line and said it into a curtain.

BEN
Tonight you have eleven o’clock number energy at half eight. Go use it.

LUCY
He wanted a solicitor. Or a dentist. Something with certificates on walls and no tap shoes.

BEN
Does he know you’re brilliant?

LUCY
He knows I’m stubborn.

BEN
Same family.

The orchestra begins vamping, buying time.

LUCY
What if I go out there and all I can see is him deciding I’m still a mistake?

BEN
Then look at me.

LUCY
You’ll be in the wings mouthing counts.

BEN
Exactly. A comforting idiot with rhythm.

LUCY laughs despite herself.

BEN
Your cue is coming round again.

LUCY breathes, lifts her chin.

LUCY
How’s my hair?

BEN
Defiant.

LUCY
Good.

She steps towards the stage lights.
