The young boy stood backstage, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest. The velvet curtains hid the vast expanse of the auditorium, but he could hear the soft murmurs of the few people gathered for the auditions. Clutching the script in his hand, he took a deep breath and reminded himself why he was here. Broadway. The word echoed in his mind like a sweet melody, a dream he had nurtured since he first saw a musical on TV.
He walked onto the stage, his legs feeling like jelly. The spotlight was blinding, but he focused on the feeling of the wooden stage beneath his feet. As he opened his mouth to speak, his voice wavered, barely a whisper. "I can do this," he whispered to himself, gathering courage from the depths of his heart. The judges, seated in the front row, watched him with expectant eyes.
Summoning all his courage, he started again. His voice, though small at first, grew stronger with each line. The words flowed like a river, carrying him through the scene. The fear that had gripped him began to melt away, replaced by a sense of freedom and joy. "This is what I love," he thought, a smile spreading across his face as the last line left his lips.
The applause took him by surprise, a warm embrace that wrapped around him like a cozy blanket. He looked out at the judges, their faces lit up with smiles and nods of approval. "Well done, young man," one of them said, their voice carrying across the room. He couldn't believe it—he had done it. He had faced his fear and come out victorious.
As he made his way home, the stars above seemed to twinkle just for him. Each step was lighter than the last, buoyed by the knowledge that he had taken the first step towards his dream. "Broadway, here I come," he murmured, the words tasting sweet on his tongue. He knew there would be more auditions, more moments of doubt, but he also knew that he was ready to face them all.
Later that night, lying in bed, he stared at the poster of a Broadway show pinned above his desk. It was a symbol of everything he aspired to be, a reminder of the journey he had embarked on. With a contented sigh, he closed his eyes, dreams of the stage swirling in his mind. Tomorrow, he would continue to chase his dreams, but for now, he let the soothing embrace of sleep take him, knowing he was one step closer to making his dream a reality.
