Graduation Day is fast approaching.
Everyone’s making plans.
Kathy’s signed a contract to teach art in a Cleveland High School.
Lillian’s going to marry Bill, stay in Erie, and work at the Playhouse.
After six weeks student teaching Biology at Erie High, I know what I don’t want to do.
Mom thinks I should work in a research or hospital lab.
Dad thinks I’d be good at public relations or marketing.
For now, I’m not thinking about it.
Kathy, Lillian and I are in rehearsal for Pride and Prejudice, our ninth show together.
It’s a bittersweet time. Helen Kelly is more than our director, she’s our guiding light.
I’m on my way back to the dorm when Miss Kelly stops me.
A friend of hers runs a summer theatre in Ohio.
He’s looking for actors. Would I be interested?
Would I be interested!
I complete the application, write a short essay about myself, record two monologues, on the reel to reel tape recorder in the theatre lab, attach a copy of my year book picture, and seal my future in a manilla envelope.
A few weeks later, a contract for Williamstown Summer Theatre is in my mailbox.
Overjoyed, I run, skip, hop, jump, dance to the theatre to share my good news with Miss Kelly.
She’s almost as excited as I am.
My parents don’t exactly share the enthusiasm.
But “it’s only a summer job”.
Helen Kelly knew me well.
She always listened.
She heard the words in my heart.
