Yellow Roses Anonymous

The adrenaline pumping through all of us was palpable as we stepped offstage after our opening night performance, excited to see our friends and family who came to see us perform The Sound of Music. My castmates and I were proud of our successful performance, laughing and cheering as we hugged each other. I was excited to find my parents and siblings and ask what they thought; however, I stopped myself when a young woman tapped me on the shoulder.

“You made an incredible Liesl - congratulations!” she said with a smile.

“Thank you so much, it was super fun!” I replied, unsure of why this stranger was complimenting me, but flattered all the same.

“I wanted you to know I played Liesl a few years ago, and I brought flowers for whomever played her,” she said, handing me a bouquet of yellow roses. I stared at them, surprised, and then hugged her. We chatted for a couple more minutes about our shared role, then parted ways. I never got her name.

It was refreshing - and flattering - to receive affirmation from someone I had never met, who had even taken the time to bring a gift for me. I was extremely touched by her thoughtfulness, not to mention proud that my performance had garnered the attention of a stranger. As an actress, I...