New York City in winter was something to behold. Lauren exited the crowded subway station and found herself in Times Square. It was getting dark out, even though it was only four p.m., but the streets were illuminated by omnipresent neon. She gave herself a small hug as she walked, inhaling the sweet scent of roasted nuts from a street vendor on the corner. In just a few hours, audiences would take to the streets, heading out in their nice clothes for the theater, a concept that always left Lauren feeling invigorated.

The trip was entirely unexpected. She’d surprised even herself when she’d agreed to the audition her agent sent her way. She wasn’t entirely sure about the future of her career, but there was no way she was passing up a shot at a new Heather Kim play. She’d be happy to get coffee for people on that production. In good news, she’d felt great about the audition. She was happy with her reading and seemed in sync with the director.

They’d invited her back for a chemistry read the next day, in an attempt to match actors up with others who might complement them in the world of the play. They’d scheduled her for two such readings.

After snagging a sandwich and a giant chocolate chip cookie from Schmackary’s, Lauren took in a performance of Clean Slate, one of her all-time favorite musicals that had been running on Broadway for years, and headed back to the hotel for a good night’s rest.

The next afternoon, she met with the creatives for her second audition.

“What I loved about your reading yesterday was the way you infused compassion into what also had to be a high-pressure case for her to solve,” the director, Jeanine, told her before they got started. “You took time to check in on a very human level, rather than sticking to the business of the job.”

“Oh, okay, great. I can stay in that mode.” She tried to remain calm, knowing Heather Kim herself sat in the corner of the room, taking notes.

“We’re gonna first test you with the character of Jimmy,” Jeanine said. She introduced Lauren to Freddy Hale, the young boy they’d cast in the show.

He seemed precocious and excited. “Cool to meet you.”

“Back atcha,” Lauren said, as they exchanged a high five. They did a short reading from a scene, listened to some notes, and tried it again.

“Perfect,” Jeanine said, jumping to her feet. “Freddy, I think that’s all we need from you.” He offered Lauren a final high five, said good-bye to the team, and joined his mom, who held his coat by the door.

“So, your background is in stage management,” Jeanine said, with an amused grin. “That’s great. I used to stage manage myself. There’s nothing like it.”