A strange feeling of awe overwhelms me as I stand in front of the famous Majestic Theater. Rain falls lightly from the clouds above, and the theater's bright lights create inspiring reflections in the numerous puddles dampening the New York City street. People's shoulders bump into me and bulky handbags swing into my back as passerby's, who see this theater every day, rush to their destinations of dry taxi cabs and quaint apartments. 

     With one glance down to my Fossil watch, which my parents gifted to me for graduating West Virginia University with honors in the Fashion Department, I see that it is five minutes before six o'clock. The street lamps just flicker to life as I walk through the entrance of the renowned theater, in just two hours this place will be alive with an anticipated audience, their ears yearning to hear the melodies that The Phantom of the Opera contains. Yet, the thought of actually being part of that excitement has not settled. Sure, it is behind the scenes, but that is the best part. Not everybody gets the chance to see the inner workings of the longest running Broadway musical.

     "You must be Ms.Griffith! I am Holland Cortanza," a soft-spoken voice instantly greets me as I wipe my boots off on the vibrant red carpet. 

     I look up to greet Holland Cortanza, never have met her in real life. I was interviewed by a male who was probably in his sixties, and was limited to simple e-mails with Holland. Those messages were short and straight to the point. So I had not an idea of what to expect with her. A woman, probably in her mid forties to fifties, smiles kindly up at me. She is merely a few inches shorter than me and has wrinkles near the corners of her eyes. Respectfully, she offers her hand for me to shake. Her hesitant matter and low volume prompts me to suspect that she is not nor was ever a performer herself. I wonder what brought her to the theatre industry...

     "Yes, however you may call me Annaleigh," I return her smile while wiping my hands off on my jeans and then return the handshake. 

     "The girls are excited about you becoming their new dresser. The last one was old- well- my age!" she laughs and releases my hand. I smile and chuckle lightly, not wanting to come off rude by laughing at her age.

    She turns and starts to walk towards the back of the foyer, motioning with her hand for me to follow her before she starts to talk again, "Anyways, they really wanted someone closer to their age. Fresh meat, if you will, to this enormous production."

     I nod thoughtfully but since I am behind her she cannot see it. Quickly, I formulate a response, "Well I am sure my excitement is much greater than their's. It is such a great opportunity to work here! I already know I will learn so much through hands on experience and realistic exposure."

     She pushes open a door and we walk through a lengthy hallway, my boot heels create staccato 'clicking' sounds on the linoleum floor as we walk. I swing my tote nervously, excitement flowing through my veins like adrenaline. I take in every detail of this moment, how the bright fluorescent lights sting my eyes if I look exactly at them or that the white paint on the wall has not even one chip nor fault. 

     "Your optimism will surely catch on," she assures brightly, pushing open another heavy metal door. It leads to what I presume is the main backstage area, "This is where all of our actors and backstage crew get ready and hang out. Down another hallway are the dressing rooms for Christine, the Phantom, and the ballet corps. Up those stairs," she points to our right where a staircase resides, "That is where Raoul and the managers prepare, along with the ensemble further up. Quick change is immediately off of stage right." 

    We continue the tour until we approach a door labeled 'Quick Change'. Holland twists the doorknob and we peak into the quaint room. As expected, the many outfits I have watched on crappy Youtube bootlegs are aligned expertly on hangers. Each labeled for a different actor and their assigned character. 

    "May I step in?" I ask hesitantly.

     She lets out a loud chortle, "May you go in? But of course, you will be working in there in just a week or so! This will be your second home before you know it. Go ahead sweetie."

     I mumble a polite 'thank-you' before stepping into the tiny room. Taking in a deep breath, my eyes take in the sight of the lavender Countess Dress, deep blue Wishing Gown, peach Aminta Frock, and silvery white Wedding Gown. My hand reaches out to touch the different fabrics, they do not feel as I thought they would. However I expected such a realization. During my college class of Costume Design we learned that the fabrics are built to be sturdy yet have the look of, let's say, silk or chiffon.

     "Gorgeous, absolutely beautiful," I comment, and jump when I turn to see the woman is right behind me. 

     "Yes they are, and you will be put in charge of doing small repairs and caring for these fine pieces of art. It is a big responsibility, no costumes means no show," her tone turns serious and I feel my smile fade away. But before the mood is lost she lets out another loud laugh and pats me on the back, "But you will do fine!"

     Letting out a stiff laugh I awkwardly adjust my tote's strap on my shoulder, "I sure hope so."

     "Let us continue," she waves over her shoulder as we exit the room, "You have yet to meet the actresses."

     My heart stops as I take in her words, "I get to meet them tonight?"

     "Of course! We called you in tonight for your first day so that the retiring dresser could show you the ropes. In fact..." she trails off as she checks her watch, "I have to go check up on light and sound check. I will bring you to Julia Udine and Kaley Ann Voorhees' dressing room where Mrs.Voyager, the current dresser, is. She will take over from there."

     "Uh- okay," I agree nervously. This is foreign territory to me. All of these people are professionals in their natural place and I am just the amateur. I am the person who does not belong here.

     We come upon a door with Julia and Kaley's name labeled with a white sign. I try not to gawk and have a panic attack. Instead I focus on fixing the pale pink cuffs of my blouse. 

     "When you arrive just knock once or twice and they will let you in. Those two girls are like teenagers with each other, always giggling and whispering," she shakes her head knowingly, a distant look of nostalgia glinting in her brown eyes as she taps her knuckles on the door, "Most days you will show up before them to get a final costume check in."

     I nod in response as a shuffling noise is heard, muffled by the wood of the door, before it swings inward to reveal Julia Udine. I take in a sharp breath as she smiles brightly at me.

     "Hi, you must be our new dresser, Annaleigh Griffith!" she greets me and then looks behind her before stepping out of the room, closing the door softly behind her, "It is about time, look at you! You're not -like- a hundred years old like 'Mrs.Voyager'," she rolls her eyes, giggling lightly, "I mean she is nice and does her job well but seriously, we need someone we can talk to while they dress us up like Barbie dolls."

     "Oh, Ms.Udine-" I start before she cuts me off. 

    "You can call me Julia. We are gonna be friends after all, right?" she corrects me, her tone accepting.

    I nod ambitiously before continuing, "I will hopefully live up to your previous dresser, she has been here for many years and I- well- those are rather large shoes to fill."

     "Yes well, just make sure the costumes are kept up, we look fabulous in them, and you will be our best dresser yet!" Julia chirpily assures me then turns to Holland, "Hey Holly, you showed her the entrance we all use to come in, right?"

     The older woman raises her eyebrows, "No, actually I have to run, would you mind doing the honors of finishing the tour?" she asks while fidgeting with the buttons on her digital watch. I feel like she is the kind of person to show up right on time for everything, never late and never early. 

     I look on as the young performer nods anxiously, "Of course I could give this newbie a tour!" she jokes innocently, "As long as she can handle it, of course. The hustle and bustle behind Phantom is just as crazy as the story itself, I had to learn quickly," she snaps her fingers, reaches behind her to twist the door open, and then continues the spiel, "Come on, you have to meet Kaley!"

     Julia grabs my forearm to lead me into the dressing room. I glance one last time behind me and see Holland smiling warmly. Just before the door shuts, she mouths 'You'll do fine'.

     I sure hope so.