‘Oliver’ Diaries: The Cast List (19th January 2018)

The waiting game was almost over. We’d been told that the cast list would be up at lunchtime, or at 3 o’clock if not.

As we have only recently got a drama studio at our school, I wasn’t certain on where the cast list would be - the usual place as you walk out of the refectory or on the board in the studio?

I checked for the cast list before form, despite knowing it wouldn’t be up yet – as expected, nothing. I finally saw it at lunchtime. Thanks to an early lunch and having Maths 4^th period, Tahreem (one of my best friends) and I were the first ones in the studio and I was the first to see the cast list.

After so much excitement, so many nerves and a lot of anticipation, at last the cast list was right in front of me! I immediately scanned the list for Nancy, knowing it was between Megan (another one of my best friends) and I as we were the only ones that auditioned for Nancy at the ‘call-backs-not-call-backs’ (some of us were called into the hall at lunchtime, where we auditioned again as Mrs. Culkin couldn’t make up her mind) we had had the previous day. I really, really wanted this role, but I also didn’t want it to be awkward between Megan and I or anything.

I soon reached Nancy and looked across to see who got the role. I got it! I actually got it! I screamed “I got Nancy!” to Tahreem, who hadn’t quite spotted the cast list yet. She was so happy for me! Slightly later, Summer (again, one of my best friends) walked through the door. Not being able to help myself, I shouted “I got it!” At first, Summer was about to say “No, don’t tell me!” as she wanted her first look to be a complete surprise but then she realised what I’d said. She congratulated me and hugged me because she was so happy for and proud of me - I love how supportive my friends are!

I was SO excited and overjoyed for the rest of the day! As not everybody had an early lunch, Summer and I walked up to Megan’s Maths class, in which Shannon (Summer’s best friend) is in too; Summer wanted to tell Shannon the role she had landed. Summer was invited in to say grace with the class, then told to stop distracting them when she denied the offer. I couldn’t stop laughing!

On my way to Music, where we go to eat, I saw Mr. Holt (our Music teacher) and asked him to message Miss Bailey for me and tell her I said thank you a million times over, to which he chuckled and agreed to.

As we ate, others came in as usual. When Megan entered, as I knew they’d been to see the cast list, I anticipated Megan’s reaction; I didn’t want her to be upset. Thank fully, she was absolutely fine and actually told me that she knew I’d get it.

I landed the role I wanted – not only my first lead role but my first role! This was all I had wanted for as long as I can remember. I couldn’t wait to get started!

Thanks for reading! Are you as excited as I am to embark on this wonderful journey with me?

-Zahra♥