“We have to keep in mind that the premiere isn’t too far from now,” Ms. Klein continues. Her eyes lock on me, and I look away. Back at my old school, I was a member of the backstage crew, but I never directed anything. Ms. Klein’s not the only one who can tell that I don’t know what I’m doing. “We have just over five weeks to make this show the best it can be.”

Laila, a senior who plays Mimi, leans against me. She hugged me on the first day of rehearsal, and didn’t glare at me behind Palumbo’s back like some of the other cast members. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to pick favorites, but she’s definitely mine.

“That’s more than enough time to nail the finishing touches,” Mr. Palumbo says. “So I don’t want any of you to worry.”

“But we have to remember that the audience isn’t expecting much from us,” Ms. Klein says, shaking her clasped hands. “And we want to blow them away, don’t we? We want to show all of those parents who didn’t want us to do this show that you are capable of handling the subject matter, that we’re capable of going above and beyond.”

“There also isn’t any pressure,” Mr. Palumbo says, glancing at Ms. Klein. The auditorium, which is normally filled with music from the pit, singing from the stage, and whispering from the crew, is oddly silent. “The most important thing is that you all learn more about what the theater process is like, to see if this is something you want to do beyond high school. And if it isn’t, that’s okay! I’m a teacher, but I do this for fun. Some of us just love theater.”

Ms. Klein glances at him out of the corner of her eye. I love his real life subtweeting. She’s never called him on it directly, but I’m waiting for the moment where one of them blows up.

I’m not sure how Ms. Klein would react if I said I’m just doing this for fun. Maybe she’d strangle me. Really, though, what does she expect? I love musicals, but making a career out of them is a huge risk. I’m not sure if I’m talented enough for that.

“It’s also important that we have the best chance of winning something at the High School Theater Awards,” Ms. Klein says, smiling without any teeth.

At the mention of awards, a low rumble spreads throughout the crowd. Everyone whispers at the same time.

Laila sighs against me. “I swear, that’s all she ever talks about.”

“Well,” I say, leaning down to whisper in her ear, “awards will make her look good.”