The Prop Master
Based on a true story
Sarah was destined to be fat. Her parents, despite diet yoyos, are fat, and Sarah was born at 9 pounds, 2 ounces. The pediatrician could only advise moderation in diet and perhaps, when older, a weight-loss drug or even surgery.
By the time Sarah reached puberty, she turned to usually wearing all black. It didn’t help. Predictably the kids shunned or privately twittered. Once, Sarah overheard, “If she’s this fat at 14, imagine her at 24, 34, 44, 54 . She’ll die a virgin!”
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Like most kids, Sarah wanted to belong and was attracted to theater but there was no way she’d audition for the upcoming play, West Side Story. She went to the audition but sat in the corner of the back row and shook her head when the drama teacher asked if she wanted to audition.
A week later, the teacher posted the cast. The bottom read, “Still need stagehands, setbuilders, and a prop mistress.” Sarah googled that term and emailed the teacher: “I have no experience but am detail-oriented.” She was picked.
Sarah found new confidence. She dug up props from kids, parents, Goodwill, and eBay. She created a cue sheet for every prop entry and exit and at performances, did her thing — This time wearing all-black was appropriate.
Sarah is thinking of auditioning for a part as a villager in the next play, Les Miserables.
I read this aloud on YouTube.
Marty Nemko’s hobby is community theater actor and director. His job is career coach and book author, for example, Starting Out Stories. You can reach him at mnemko@gmail.com
