"I've heard you sing, and to even be on the dance team for a year… I know you know how to dance. You'll make it."
"Yeah, I just hope to get any role. Since I've never done anything like this, that's my goal—just to make the show."
"You'll make it. If you sing your song like you sang it for me, you'll definitely make it."
"When do we find out?"
"Callbacks are next Sunday, so you'll know if you have one by Saturday night. If you get a callback, it means you're in theshow for sure, even if you don’t get a main role. If you don't get a callback, you could still make the show."
"So, what is a callback?" I asked.
"It's when they want to see more of you because they're considering you for a main role."
"What do you do? What happens in callbacks?"
James shrugged. "It depends on the show and the director, but usually, you read lines and sing parts of songs from the specific character that they're considering you for. For instance, I might get a callback for Billy Flynn, which is the role I hope to get in the show. If I do get a callback for him, I'll go back into a room with the creative team, and I'll read some of Billy's lines and sing his song. So will about four or five other people."
"Do you do it in front of each other?"
"Yes," he said.
"Are you prepared for that if it happens?"
He let out a little laugh like that was a funny question. "I'm definitely prepared," he said. "I've practiced a lot in the last few weeks. Plus, I played him when I was a junior in high school. I really like this role. I've been obsessing lately—evaluating what I did six years ago and thinking about what I'd change."
"Oh, my goodness, James, I'm in over my head. Has everybody prepared this much? I kinda hope I don't get a callback."
"No, don't say that. Not everyone has prepared this much. You definitely want a callback. I hope you get one."
"How will I know? Do they tell you at the audition if you're called back?"
He shook his head. "No, they'll send an email by midnight Saturday, and if you're on the list, then you show up Sunday."
"So, callback people have auditions two days in a row?"
"Exactly," he said. "Just keep Sunday open either way. Like I said, if you get a callback, you're definitely in the show. It maynot be the role you were called back for, but you'll at least be in the show."
"How long are callbacks on Sunday?"
"At least four hours—sometimes five or six."
"I think my best-case scenario would be not to get a callback but to get cast in an ensemble role."
James smiled and pushed at me. "Don't say that. You want a callback. You can get one if you go up there and sing that song like you sang it to me. Ooh, speaking of callbacks…" he added in a whisper. "That's Collin right now."
"What are you two doing out here?" the guy asked.
"We're conspiring," James said.
Collin had come out of the double doors that led to the auditorium, and he was in the process of coming our way. James sat up straight and started laughing in a way he hadn't been doing when it was just the two of us. I could tell he got nervous, which made me feel that way, too.
"Are you guys already finished?" James asked doubtfully.
"No, we're… I just forgot something in my car. I have to grab a bag."
"Would you like me to get it for you?" James asked, standing from the bench.
"Uh, sure…" Collin said, hesitating. "Are you sure you don't mind?"
