Lessons from Footloose Nathan Bartos

Walking out onto the stage, petrified, I hear the director utter in monotone, “Whenever you’re ready.” I figure that I will never be ready, but I decide that I’ve worked too hard to just walk away now. I read off some of the lines that I’ve rehearsed so many times, I practically have them memorized. Then comes the part I have been dreading: singing alone. However, I give it all I have, and, when I’m done, the director announces, “You may go.” My head is spinning as I wander out of the auditorium. Just then, it finally hits me: I have just auditioned for the lead in a musical, and I did fairly well!

When I get back home, I can’t focus on anything. I begin to pace back and forth in my room, mulling over in my mind all the things that I did wrong. I stuttered on a line, I spoke too quickly... This begins to drive me crazy, so I decide to just go to sleep. Mind racing, I do my best to focus on preparing for bed. When I finally lie down and attempt to fall asleep, my mind is still haunted by the audition. I strive to push it out of my mind, and, eventually, I drift into a deep sleep.

Waking up in the morning, my mind is gyrating. My whole morning is a blur; before I know it, I am inside the school. My hands are shaking as my friend...