The Talent Theatre (Performers & Friends)

[VanessaLink]

The music ceased once Vanessa stepped on stage. The gas lights were being lit along the procenium stage. The Gemline Theatre was a large theatre, with rows of seats and boxes along the walls. A chandelier hung above the floor seats and there was a mervelous painting above the chandelier on the ceiling. Mrs. Cortes had painted that when Vanessa and Taylor had decided to re-open the Talent Theatre. Originally they were going to use the small makeshift stage but, when she had found out what D.J. Michaels and Jordan Cortes were doing for their performances, she knew it needed to be much more grand. How Jordan had gotten an ice rink in the Gemline Theatre House was beyond Vanessa, but it was there.

"No, Joseph!" That doe'n't go there!" The thick French accent of the consultant Taylor had hired, shrilled throughout the theatre house. A light fell from the ceiling and nearly crushed Madmae Jetou. Screams erupted, Madame struggled beneath the weight of the light on her stomach. It was an amusing sight, the aged French woman screaming out, yelling at people, with a light on her torso. Matthew was running to help the woman up, but just made matters worse. The light finally rolled off Madame and made its way towards Vanessa, "For God's sake, Vanessa, move!" In a moments notice Vanessa was thrown to the ground by a strong familiar force. Aryeh McKenzie was Vanessa's brother-figure, he wasn't related to her, but he was close enough to be related to her. He was always there for her, and this was proven when she loooked to her right to see Aryeh next to her, "You can't be in the spotlight yet, kiddo." He told her in one breathless sentence. Vanessa scoffed at him and stood up, brushing herself off, and helping him up as well.

"Yeah, well, you know me, all about myself." She remarked with a smile as she made her way back up on the stage. Madame was fixing her hat and Matthew was fixing the light. Vanessa silently wished that tonight would run much more smooth then it was at the moment. Vanessa had invited many talented students from Hogwarts to perform in the Theatre and she was hoping it would all go over like glaze on a donut. Looking at the clock above the door she wondered who was going to be first to arrive. Jasmine was needed greatly but, whoever came first; came first, "So, who's all coming to this thing?" Aryeh asked as he stood next to her. Vanessa sent him a look, "Not Kelsey, if that's what you mean." She answered with a sly snap. Aryeh hit her over the head then walked away with his feet shuffling. The wind was picking up a bit more than Vanessa had expected, what a night this was going to be. Just as Vanessa was going to test the microphones, the auditorium door flew open to reveal a neighbor. Mrs. Soames, the town gossip walked in, an umbrella not over her head, but tied around her wrist. Mrs. Soames reminded Vanessa of an old fashioned lady from 1890. The big feathered hat that sat upon her head that had thick black curls; which were always up in a weird twist. Her voice even sounded like that of an old fashioned town gossip, "Vanessa! Darling! I'm agog! Simply agog!" Turning on her heel, a fake smile plastered on her face, Vanessa greeted the pick-a-little-lady.

"Hello, Mrs. Soames. It's nice to see you, but unfortunately only performers and crew are allowed back here at this time. So if you-" Vanessa was cut off by a hand on her shoulder, the firm grip of her Aunt Taylor. Vanessa knew how much Taylor despised Soames, it wasn't a secret to the town. Before Soames could say anything, however, Taylor left the area and went back to the lighting effects, "So if you could leave and return later, that would be great." Vanessa finished with a wave of her hand. Mrs. Soames smiled, though it looked more like a grimace and left the auditorium. Vanessa sighed and put her head on her forehead, ready to continue working when someone else entered the theatre.

((Okay, performers can post warming up, I will post when it all begins, friends can come and post watching. Jordan dropped her character but, that won't be a problem. I will just post saying she performed, if everyone else would do the same... Anyway, have fun!))

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cassie walked into the theatre with a firm grip on her guitar case handle. It had been a while since she performed, but it was nice to do every once in a while. She walked behind the stage and found an empty room while avoiding all the commotion.

She pulled out her Ovation guitar and began to strum to tune up.

[Ashley Hill]

"Elina please hurry up! The show going to start very soon. Get your clothes ready and let's get going. If not I am telling daddy!" Ashley screamed up the stairs and started to pace the living room. Her nails were freshly done and her hair was up into a tight bun with a sparkly cover over the top. She had a purple dance bag on her shoulders that contained her skates, suite, and music that would be played. A few minutes past and Elina still wasn't down yet. Feeling angry Ashley walked up the long spiraling stairs and opened the door to her sister's room gently, despite the fact that she was as angry as a bull. "Come on Elina. There's no need to get your high heels out, skirt, and tank top. It's freezing out there!" Ashley said in an irritated voice. Watching Elina wander around the room looking for her CDs and rolling her eyes Ashley, walked into the room and looked under the bed. It was so clean down there! Ashley loved her sister for always being clean, but this was enough. Noticing a speck of blue in the corner of the room she walked over towards it and picked it up. It was the CD case, "Elina I found it now can we go?" Ashley asked with puppy dog eyes. This always got to her sister and including her father. Watching Elina sigh and nod her head she grabbed her sister s hand and ran down the stairs, outside towards the dark blue convertible. Opening the door to the front seat Ashley set her bag down in the back and pulled her seat belt on tight. The car then drove out of the drive way and out onto the busy streets of London.

The car than pulled into a rather large parking space. Opening the door Ashley grabbed her dance bag and walked next to her sister inside. "Elina I am so scared right now. You well be in the crowds right?" Ashley said grabbing her stomach as it kept on turning. "Of course! Why wouldn't I be? Just do your best, Ash, it'll turn out right." Elina said with a teasing smile and opened the door to talent show. It was so beautiful inside! Their were chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and long velvet red seats were all inline. Hugging Elina tight, Ashley smiled and walked to the back stage. Everything looked wooden to Ashley and she felt scared. Her stomach kept on churning, but it was the right time to feel scared. Walking into a dressing room Ashley slipped into her tan skating suit with lots of sparkling sequins on it. Her face looked energetic and happy. Holding the CD case in her hands she adventured out into the back stage more. Her white skates were on her shoulders and a confused look on her face. Noticing a girl older than her, maybe a year, she walked up towards her and smiled. "I am Ashley Hill. Aren't you Vanessa? This is so cool. Where do I go and practice my routine? I noticed that there is a skating rink, but Jordan didn't tell me where it was. I am going to skate to 1, 2 step by Ciara. I think Elina got the CD where they beep all the bad words. But there isn't anything wrong with dancing to that is there?" Ashley asked looking around the room more and waiting patiently for Vanessa's reaction.

[KelseyMattie]

Kelsey sighed closing her Violin Case and checking her hair. Everything was perfect. She loved her outfit and her hair and her make-up. She put on her cloak and started out of the Hogwarts Castle for the theatre. She had asked Vanessa at the last minute to be in the talent show, thank God there was space between D.J. and Jasmine.

She found herself in front of the theatre almost 15 minutes later. She gripped her Violin Case handle with nerves. She entered and found only a few people there. She smiled to herself and walked up to Vanessa with a smile.

"Hey!" she hugged her friend, "Thank you for getting me in the show! I wrote a special song just the occasion!" she felt her eyes wander and with a gasp saw Aryeh. She looked at Vanessa then at Aryeh and back to Vanessa.

[VanessaLink]

"Oh! No! Put that! Oh just forget it! I SAID FORGET IT!" Vanessa screamed up at the workmen as they moved the lights the wrong way. Vanessa threw her arms up in the air in frustration as the auditorium doors flew open again. She looked at the person who entered and smiled as Ashley and Elina Hill entered. She hopped off the stage and made her way towards them, directed Elina to a private box, and listening to Ashley speak. Wow, this girl has lots of energy, Vanessa found herself thinking. She put a hand on Ashley's shoulder and smiled a laughing smile, "The rink is in the room on the right, just outside that hallway. And no, it's fine. As long as the words are censored. I'll tell you when you're up." She said as she turned again to the stage.

"Hey!" Then a hug, Vanessa nearly got her lungs crushed by Kelsey, one of her good friends. She giggled and hugged her back, knowing how thankful Kelsey was that Vanessa could get her in on such short notice. Aryeh looked up from his place with his Violin in a corner and walked up to them, hitting Vanessa as he did, "I thought you said she wasn't coming..." He told her in greeting, but not looking at Vanessa just at Kelsey. Vanessa shrugged, "So? I lied? Is that a crime?" she rolled her eyes, grabbedKelsey's hand and explained that she would practice on stage. Then went back to organizing the rest of the stage.

[KelseyMattie]

Kelsey smiled even larger when Vanessa hugged her back. She nodded when she realized she should practice. Then Vanessa ran off. Kelsey took a deep breath and looked up at Aryeh.

"Hi...." she felt herself blush. It had been a while since she had seen Aryeh and hadn't even admitted to anyone that she had a crush on him, "So, um... I have to practice..." she pointed to the stage sort of lazily.

"Yeah, me too!" his smile made Kelsey blush even more.

"Wanna practice with me?" Kelsey asked in a shy voice. He nodded. She smiled larger and started toward to stage. She placed her Violin Case on the stage and opened it. She looked over at Aryeh, sho had gone off to get his own Violin. She smiled to herself and pulled out her music, Violin, and Bow. She turned back to Aryeh as he walked up with his own music and Violin. She pulled herself up to sit on the stage and began to play her song.

[Chelle]

Kari headed into the large theater, gripping the case oof her acoustic guitar. It had been ages since she had played, but she figured the practise would do her good. She saw an empty room and began to strum a muggle tune. It was one by the muggle band known as Queen. She began to sing the words along with the tune. It was the one of the songs she had sang at Christmastime, and she was keen to be on stage again. She sat down on a metal stool and began to practice.

"Each morning I get up I die a little
Can barely stand on my feet
(Take a look at yourself)Take a look in the mirror and cry
Lord what you're doing to me
I have to spend all my years in believing you
But I just can't get no relief Lord
Somebody (somebody) ooh somebody (somebody)
Can anybody find me somebody to love?

I work hard (she works hard) everyday of my life
I work till I ache my bones
At the end (at the end of the day)
I take home my hard earned pay all on my own
I get down (down) on my knees (knees)
And I start to pray (praise the Lord)
'Til the tears run down from my eyes
Lord somebody (somebody) ooh somebody (please)
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
(she wants help)

Every day - I try and I try and I try -
But everybody wants to put me down
They say I'm goin' crazy
They say I got a lot of water in my brain
Got no common sense
I got nobody left to believe
Yeah - yeah yeah yeah
Ooh

Somebody (somebody)
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
(Anybody find me someone to love)
Got no feel I got no rhythm
I just keep losing my beat (you just keep losing and losing)
I'm OK I'm alright (she's alright)
I ain't gonna face no defeat
I just gotta get out of this prison cell
Some day I'm gonna be free Lord

Find me somebody to love find me somebody to love
Find me somebody to love find me somebody to love
Find me somebody to love find me somebody to love
Find me somebody to love find me somebody to love
Find me somebody to love find me somebody to love
Somebody somebody somebody somebody somebody
Find me somebody find me somebody to love
Can anybody find me somebody to love
Find me somebody to love
Find me somebody to love
Find me somebody to love
Find me find me find me
Find me somebody to love

Somebody to love
Find me somebody to love..."

Kari put down her guitar and began to put her hair out of her eyes and into a ponytail. She put on some clear and glittery lip gloss and waved her wand above her head. EHr jeans and whit tee turned into a hilariously cute ballerina like dress maade of pink. She had black cat ears on and a little tail with a golden bell. She shook her head and concentrated hard. SHe was soon wearing a white silk blouse with pink stripes on the sleeves and a black knee length skirt. She smiled in the mirror before her and sat down to practice some more.

[anderson]

The car drove slowly down the busy streets of London towards the talent show theatre. Josh was looking at the road carefully with her uncle beside him. "Now Josh remembers to always look before you turn into the other lane." he said smiling and sending a wink at her direction. Jasmine looked up from her book and smiled, "Why does he get to drive first? We are the same age and I am older than him." Jasmine said trying not to lose her nerve. Her uncle looked at her and his face soften, "Now Jasmine you know I love the both of you but you are driving him and I don’t want to hear another word about this." he said in that almost strict kind of tone.

Rolling her eyes Jasmine smiled and turned back to her book. She was not at all scared of singing in front of people. Since the age of four she had been singing and dancing on stage. Her parents were famous board way musical stars and she was known as a store back in New York. But now since they spilt she lives with her Uncle and cousin. Uncle Jacob Hart was a wizard and worked in the ministry of magic. His wife died six teen years ago while giving birth to Josh. She was a witch and that means her cousin in a pure blood. But Jasmine didn’t care about blood and didn’t care if she was half.

The car than made its stop by a big theatre. Many people were walking inside and staring at them all trying to see if they remembered anybody familiar. Sighing Jasmine opened the door to the car and walked into the theatre it Josh close behind her. "Josh doesn’t embarrass me with your stupid attics. That’s all I need is to be himulate on stage." Jasmine said with a teasing smile and rolled her again as he looked at Vanessa. "But thats what I do best!" he said smiling and moving his arms around stupidly. Looking around Jasmine noticed he wanted attention. Punching him lightly on the shoulder she smiled and walked over towards Vanessa trailing behind Josh. "Hey Nessa how’s it kickin'?" he asked with one of his charming smiles. Looking from bother Josh and Vanessa she sighed and hugged her friend tight. "Nessa! Nessa! Nessa! Oh my goodness I haven’t seen you in such a long time. I wrote a song for you and going to sing it on stage. Now direct me towards my changing room please." she said with a sweet smile.

[VanessaLink]

Vanessa picked up the guitar that was leaning against the wall and started to strum, wondering if she should change her routine, "And I, take it just a little bit. I hold my breath and count to ten. I have been waiting for a chance to let you in. If I just breathe let it fill the space between. I'll know everything is alright. Breathe every little piece of me. You'll see, everything is alright if I just breathe." She sang. The lyrics englufing her so much she didn't realize someone was speaking to her until she saw Jasmine. Vanessa set her guitar down and hugged her best-friend. They hadn't seen each other in ages! Vanessa giggled and looked to Josh, "Hey Josh. What are you doing here?" She asked with a tilt of her head and linking arms with Jasmine.

"No bother. Would you like a spot in the show? Just kidding. Come this way! Oh my gawd this place is sooo busy! I feel at home! Welcome to the Gemline! It burnt down some time ago. It is a magnificent theatre really! And don't worry, it's all stable. This way, come come!" Vanessa dragged Jasmine and Josh both by the hand to a room which was rather large. This was the main dressing room. USually reserved for the biggest diva in town. BUt she died some time ago, "Isn't it glorious? OK, phone," Vanessa pointed to a phone on the desk, "Wardrobe." She pointed to a large closet, "T.V. for you Josh. And mini kitchen. Enjoy! I'll tell you when you are on. To the right of the door is a list of who goes first etc. Be back later!" And with that Vanessa left the dressing room, made her way back to the comotion.

[DJMichaels]

"Now, remember Donna Jo. You must sing beautifully. Don't croak like you did last performance. That cost us a lot in the social ladder." Mrs. Michaels reminded her daughter as the limosine pulled up to the theatre. She could hear the disgust in her mother's sigh at the sight of it. D.J. was accustomed to performing at large theatres such as the Aranoff. This theatre was simply three steps down the social ladder. As her mother had put it when Jave opened the limo door to let the two ladies out. D.J. liked this theatre though, it had a certain uniqueness all in it's own way. As she entered the theatre with her mother at her heels, D.J. looked above her and gasped at the painting. She now knew what her mother thought, it was cheap and tacky. D.J. thought differently. D.J. adored it! She knew the art work from afar, it was painted by Mrs. Cortes, who had also done they're mural in the den.

There was music all around and a small smile appeared on D.J.'s face as she recognized the violin playing of Aryeh McKenzie. Who was on the stage with a girl D.J. recognized from school. Vanessa had disappeared somewhere with Josh and Jasmine, who D.J. briefly knew by association. There were people working with lighting, effects, scenery, and the instruments. It was the busy life of theatre, the only thing D.J. enjoyed about singing. Mrs. Michaels put her hand on D.J.'s shoulder and handed her the dress she was to wear. Habanera was a very difficult opera song from Carmen. And it dealt with a very dark outfit. The maroon and black dress made D.J. feel depressed. She sighed and brushed her mother off, who gave her a stern look, and made her way to an empty dressing room. She put her head in her hands and sank down into a chair, "There are a few things she shan't ever know." D.J. whispered to herself in reassurance.

She stood up, figuring she should rehearse, hung the dress on a coat rack, and made her way to the stage. The song already escaping from her lips, "Quand je vous aimerai? ma foi, je ne sais pas. Peut-être jamais, peut-être demain! Mais pas aujourd'hui...c'est certain." The words flowed from her lips as if she was born speaking them. She tilted her head and nearly jumped when she made a wrong note. D.J. sighed, put her hand to her diaphragm and began again, "Quand je vous aimerai? ma foi, je ne sais pas." The note was perfect on the second try, and she made a note to keep her hand on her diaphragm at that point of the song.

[Chelle]

Kari frowned. She was thinking about changing her routine. She could always mak her acoustic guitar electric, just a simple act of transfiguring.

Kari waved her wand and immediately the acoustic became the blue and white Fender guitar she had learned to love.

"Hmmm... Maybe I should change my routine." Kari waved her wand and her outfit became a simple pink tank top and a pair of black skorts. She was wearing white ankle socks and black sneakers. It was definitely more comfortable. Kari flipped through her song book and came to one she liked. She tuned her guitar and strummed it a bit.

"Or maybe no guitar at all." Kari vanished the guitar and sent it back to her rrom at home in Hogsmeade. She decided to look around for a piano or some other instrument she could play.

She found her self backstage, and there was a baby piano. She sat down on the bench and began to practice some scales. She went into a practice song, Happy Birthday, and finished a minute later. She decided that she could perform a song, and began to practice, hoping no one would be disturbed.