Theater Kids: The One Where They All Become Friends

By Jeanne McGowan Sheehan

Mindy, Kimmy, and Sonia are beginning the summer between seventh and eighth grade and none of them are feeling very good about it. Mindy gained a lot of weight over the winter, and at the same time, her best friend ditched her for two more popular girls, so she spends most of her time alone, watching reruns of Friends. Kimmy has always been painfully shy, and now that her parents are getting a divorce, she has to move in with her grandparents and be the only new girl in the eighth grade. Sonia's mother has been battling cancer for the last two years, and Sonia's anxiety attacks are so bad that she had to be homeschooled for a year.

All three girls reluctantly find themselves in a local theater camp where they get so swept up with the magic of putting on a musical revue that they start to forget about their own problems. Throughout the course of the summer, the three girls work through their personal issues while having the time of their lives with all the new interesting people they've been thrown in with. By the end of the summer, Mindy, Kimmy, and Sonia are officially "theater kids." They and their new friends are ready to take on eighth grade.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9781662487453

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Theater Kids

The One Where They All Become Friends

Jeanne McGowan Sheehan

Copyright © 2022 Jeanne McGowan Sheehan

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2022

Cover artwork by Zoe Zuro

ISBN 978-1-6624-8744-6 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-8745-3 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Prologue

Epilogue

About the Author

Prologue

Kelly sat down in the diner booth, pulled out her notebook, and paged through it, looking for her most recent entries. If anyone else looked through it, they'd see the work of a demented, completely disorganized mind. There were notes there from shows she'd written five years ago, and it amused her now to look at the discarded lyrics and plot ideas that never quite made it to the final script. A more disciplined person would have bought a new spiral notebook for each project and labeled it carefully, but that had never been her style. When she got a new idea, she simply grabbed the nearest notebook and looked for empty pages to write in. Once she had a completed script, it was saved neatly on her computer, but she still had a record of the creative process in her scattered notebooks.

Did you want to order something to drink while you're waiting?

Kelly looked up and saw the waitress standing next to her table. Oh yeah. I'll take a Diet Coke. She heard the bell on the door ring and saw Nicky coming in. Oh, my friend's here now. She'll probably want to order right away. She waved at Nicky, who hurried over and slid into the other side of the booth.

I'll take a hamburger with grilled onions, ketchup, and mustard, and an order of tater tots, and a large Coke, she rattled off without looking at a menu. Sorry, but I only have a half hour. The principal frowns on teachers going out to lunch.

Um, I'll take the chicken tacos, Kelly said.

The waitress walked away, and Kelly flipped her notebook to her latest entry.

Okay, so what's your big idea? Nicky asked. Are you already writing next year's show?

Actually, I've got a proposition for you—something where you might actually earn money.

I'm intrigued. Do some old people's home want a command performance of our Vaudeville show?

No, this idea is completely different, Kelly explained. I think we should start a summer theater camp and do it in my backyard.

You mean like we do another winter show only in the summer?

For the last nine years, Kelly had run the Elmwood Children's Theater, where a group of amateur actors put on one-hour musicals, usually based on fairy tales.

Not exactly, Kelly continued. You know how in our shows, the adults play all the leads, and the kids are just chorus? Well, in this summer camp, the kids would have the leads—it would be their show!

Nicky groaned. Oh god, that is such a recipe for disaster! Believe me, I've sat through enough grade school plays to know how bad they always turn out. You can't understand a word the kids are saying, and when they sing, they're never loud enough—

I know, I know, Kelly agreed. But look at the kids we cast in our winter shows. I mean, the talented ones. If we give them a line, they're excited about it, and they shout it out loud and clear. Plus, I know enough to always make a kid's line ten words or less. And the kids who are really into it watch what we're doing and pick up on our energy—they know that if they want to come back next year, they've really got to smile and be energetic in the musical numbers.

You're right, but here's the problem. It only works because we have talented adults carrying the show. You take them away, and the kids go back to mediocrity.

Which is why I want to hire teenage counselors to be ringers for us, Kelly exclaimed. I'm thinking that we divide the kids into three groups and put on three twenty-minute segments like we used to do in the old parish shows. If there are two talented teenagers in each group, they'll carry the musical numbers and, in general, raise the bar.

The waitress set their food in front of them, and Nicky bit into her hamburger while she took in all this information.

Okay, she said finally. I guess it could work, but is it really worth it? I mean, I look forward to my summers off and spending time with my kids—

But Michael and Sam would love it! Kelly said enthusiastically. I mean, they're too young to be in the camp. But you could bring them with you, and they could go swimming. And just think, it will make them want to be in a show someday!

Nicky looked at her, confused. So you're saying that we're always going to rehearse in your backyard? How are you going to get the kids to learn a number when they're just going to want to be in the pool?

That's why we do three small shows! Kelly announced triumphantly. We'll set up a keyboard in the garage, and that's where we'll teach them the songs. If you want to do a dance, you can do it out on the lawn. And since we'll always be rotating the groups, they can take turns having a pool break!

Wow, you've really thought this thing through. So how do we make money?

Well, for starters, we charge tuition. I've looked at all the other summer programs in this town, and we can easily charge three hundred dollars a student. So let's say we get thirty students—

But we have to pay these teenage counselors, Nicky interrupted. How much does that leave us?

Well, it turns out that Elmwood Township has money to distribute to children's summer programs, particularly programs that emphasize the arts. I can pay the counselors, a piano player, and lights and sound people out of that. You and I keep the tuition.

Nicky sighed. I'm still not sure I want to spend my summer with more kids, but I guess it would be fun for them.

Of course it would! Kelly enthused. "Can you imagine when you were a kid if you found out there was a place where you got to hang out in a built-in swimming pool and be in a show?"

Oh my god, it would have been a dream come true!

Exactly! Kelly said dramatically. So let's make that dream come true for a new generation!

Nicky glanced at her watch. I've really got to get going, but okay, you've sold me. I can't wait to see how this little scheme works out. She stood up. Oh, but I do have one more question. What does Marty think of the idea of inviting thirty screaming kids to your beautiful backyard every day?

Kelly cringed a little. Well, he pointed out the obvious things men would. Like what happens if a kid gets hurt and a parent sues us?

Wow, I didn't even think of that! What did you tell him?

I talked to a lawyer and our insurance agent, and if we get a special policy, we have nothing to worry about. Marty knows that when I get one of my ideas, I'm like a dog with a bone, so he's reluctantly going along with it. I'm pretty sure he thinks that we'll do it one summer, hate it, and never do it again.

Nicky laughed and hugged Kelly goodbye. Well, let's prove him wrong.

*****

Ten years later

Mindy

Mindy was lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling, willing herself to get up. This was so weird—usually, this was one of her favorite days of the year! Why couldn't she shake this feeling of dread? She threw off the covers, looked down at the rolls of fat sticking out of her oversized T-shirt, and remembered that this was the reason she dreaded everything these days. Ever since she got her first period last October, it was like her body had taken on a life of its own. Of course, she'd never been skinny, but she was always just a little bit chubby, in a kind of baby doll way. She stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. No way did she look like a baby doll anymore—more like a pregnant Barbie doll. Her boobs were so big. She felt like they entered the room before she did. And all the rap songs in the world couldn't make her feel better about the giant butt she was dragging around behind her.

Her mother called out from the kitchen. Mindy! I'm making pancakes! How many do you want?

None! I just want cereal. She pulled on a pair of jeans and threw on a loose shirt.

As she walked into the kitchen, her younger brother and sister were already digging into the first batch of pancakes while her mother poured more batter onto the griddle.

You sure you don't want some? It's Pancake Tuesday.

They've got chocolate chips! Peter chimed in.

She won't eat them 'cause she thinks they'll make her fat, Claire muttered under her breath.

Yeah, well, if you keep eating them, you're gonna be fat too! Mindy retorted.

No, I won't. I'm skinny.

Her mother obviously wanted to change the subject. Are you excited about starting Theater Camp?

Mindy shrugged. I don't know. A lot of the kids my age aren't coming back this year. They think it's not cool anymore.

Well, look on the bright side. You'll probably get a bigger part.

Maybe.

"What I've always noticed is that most of the kids do the camp for two or three years, and they're thrilled just to get a line. But when they get older, they want something more, and when Kelly doesn't think they're talented enough for a lead, they drop out.'

So that means that I've got to compete against the kids who are really talented.

"So what? You're talented too! You already got to play Bette in Oliver last summer, and everyone thought you were great."

Mindy sighed, looking down. I guess. But I looked completely different last summer.

"That can be an advantage too. You look older and more mature—you can play the parts she usually gives to the teenage counselors. You sure you don't want some pancakes?

All right, but just two.

Claire suddenly heaved a dramatic sigh. I wish I could go to theater camp this summer, she said sadly.

You're not nine years old.

But I will be by the end of summer! I bet Miss Kelly would take me! Can I please go?

Mrs. Kaplan sat down and put an arm around her younger daughter. Honey, things are a little tight this summer with money. When Daddy wasn't working last year, we fell a little behind.

But he's working now!

I know, and things will get back to normal soon, I promise! But usually, I purposely spread out my teaching salary over twelve months, and this year, I couldn't afford to do that. Now I've got nothing coming in until September.

Mindy suddenly felt horribly guilty about dreading summer camp—it had never occurred to her that this was a stretch for her parents. She felt a lump in her throat as she tried to swallow a bite of pancake.

Thank you, she said quietly. That was really nice that you let me go.

Well, of course, you should go to theater camp! I know how important it is to you! And, Claire honey, I promise you can go next year. But right now I had to choose between that and paying our membership at the Swim Club.

Swim Club, Swim Club! We want Swim Club! Peter started chanting.

Of course you do! And as soon as the weather gets better, we'll be there all the time.

The Swim Club doesn't have a slide, Claire muttered.

Well, you shouldn't be going to Theater Camp just because they've got a pool with a slide, Mindy chastened. You should go because you love theater.

Looks like you don't have a very good pool day today, her mother said, glancing out the window.

Doesn't really matter, Mindy said nonchalantly. The first day is all about auditions. Secretly, she was thinking, Thank you, thank you, God, for the cold, cloudy weather! Nobody will wonder why I didn't wear a bathing suit. She grabbed another pancake and offered up a silent prayer that the weather would always be horrible this summer.

She still had a couple of hours to kill before camp started, so she reverted to doing what she always did these days when she was bored—she watched a Friends rerun. It was one of the Thanksgiving shows, a flashback to when Ross first brought Chandler home to meet his family. Mindy liked the flashback episodes because Monica was fat, Ross was a dweeb, and Rachel had a big nose. It made her feel like in the end, we all grow out of our teenage awkwardness and things get better. They did a pretty good job of making Monica look fat, but it still seemed hard to believe that she could end up as skinny as Courtney Cox was in real life. Mindy stared down at her own body and prayed that it really could happen.

*****

Sonia

Sonia looked at the three outfits she'd laid out on the bed and tried to decide which one would work best. The bikini and matching cover-up was her obvious first choice, but now that it was cold and cloudy, it might look like she was pushing it. She wanted to seem nonchalant about her body, like, Oh, do I have a great figure? I never noticed. Wearing a bikini when it's barely seventy degrees outside was definitely flaunting it, and she'd have to go in the pool. If she wanted to be practical, the yoga pants and plaid top would work, and since she'd be auditioning, it wouldn't hurt to wear something she could move in. But what if the sun suddenly came out, and she was too hot?

She finally chose a pair of tight cutoffs and a cute little camisole top that hugged her figure. She could add a hoodie, so it looked like she was just dressing casually; but once they started dancing, she would ditch it and look totally hot. That's the kind of thing Alexa would do.

Her mother knocked on the door. Sonia? You almost ready? You should probably eat something before you go.

I'll be there in a minute. Just getting dressed.

When she walked into the kitchen, her mother was sitting at the table, reading the paper.

She glanced up at Sonia. You look cute. You sure you won't be too cold?

I'll wear a hoodie. Sonia opened the fridge and pulled out a Lunchable. Yesterday it was cold out, and then the sun suddenly came out, and it was like, really hot.

Yeah, June is always unpredictable. Mrs. Pliskaitus looked up and stared at Sonia uncomfortably.

She obviously wanted to say something Sonia didn't want to hear, so Sonia quickly thought of something else to talk about.

Are you going to work today?

Oh, not into the office. I've got a doctor's appointment this afternoon. I'm showing a house tomorrow at three o'clock, but I don't think these people are serious about buying. Maybe when interest rates go down, the market will pick up.

Sonia pretended to be interested. Oh, I'm sure it will. And don't people wait until summer to buy, so their kids won't have to start a new school in the middle of the year?

Her mother gave a short laugh. Never knew you listened to me.

There was another awkward pause, and then she dropped the inevitable bombshell. Sonia, are you sure you can handle Theater Camp? I know you did pretty well at school last year, but this is different. Performing takes a lot of poise and confidence—

Sonia angrily threw the Lunchable down on the table. "Well, I did think I could handle it, but now you're making me think I can't! I'm sorry that I don't have Alexa's poise and confidence!"

Sonia, this has nothing to do with Alexa! It just seems like getting up and performing in front of a lot of people might be hard for you.

Mom, I was fine this year! I never missed a single day of seventh grade, except when you insisted I had to go to Grandma's funeral! Plus, you seem to have forgotten that I've done Theater Camp before! That was the best summer I ever had!

Her mother looked like she was in pain. I know you liked it, but that was before your bad year. Honestly, it's because you've been doing so well, that I'm worried about this. I just don't want anything to trigger another episode.

Well, Dr. Fletcher thinks that theater is very therapeutic for girls like me. She said that losing myself in another character can be very freeing.

I know, I know. That's the only reason I went along with this plan. Her mother sighed. I just wish that Alexa was going to be a counselor this summer. It would be nice to have her there to support you.

What are you talking about? Alexa doesn't support me! I'm the crazy sister she has to hide, so her friends will still think that everything about her is perfect! She told them I had rheumatic fever in sixth grade.

Well, that's pretty much the story that Dad was telling people too.

At the mention of her father, Sonia clutched her head in her hands and willed herself to calm down. Her father was the worst. At least her mother dealt with her problems and admitted they existed. Her father seemed to believe that if everyone would just think positive and ignore the bad things, their lives would somehow be normal.

Sonia took a deep breath and spoke slowly and carefully. Mom, I really want to try this. I'll make sure I don't get too big a part, and if it seems like too much, we can make up a reason why I can't do the actual show.

Oh god, she was thinking like her father and Alexa—she was already making up a cover story.

To tell you the truth, I'm glad that Alexa won't be around this summer. I don't want people comparing me with her all the time. I just want to do this on my own.

Her mother squeezed her hand. Okay, I get it. She forced a smile. You know, Dr. Fletcher probably knows what she's talking about. I'm always reading about famous actors who say they were painfully shy or stuttered when they were kids, and theater allowed them to be somebody else.

Sonia squeezed back and did the best fake smile she could come up with. Really, she knew her mother's heart was in the right place, but what was she actually saying? Did she want her to be somebody else?

*****

Kimmy

Kimmy sat in