The following afternoon, Htet hesitantly made his way to the multipurpose hall for his first official meeting as a member of the Acting Club. Though he had survived the initial icebreaker, he still felt like a fish out of water. Acting was far outside his comfort zone, but Max’s encouraging words from the previous meeting replayed in his mind.
“Step out of your comfort zone, huh?” Htet muttered as he slid open the door to the hall.
His stomach churned with the familiar nervousness that he tried to shake off. He still wasn’t entirely sure why he was here...acting, of all things. The absurdity of it all lingered in his mind, but as he stepped inside, he noticed something had shifted since his first meeting. The faces around him weren’t just strangers anymore. They were becoming… a quirky, unexpected family.
Max, the jolly, overly enthusiastic club president was standing at the front of the room, talking animatedly to a couple of club members. His trademark grin stretched across his face like it always did, even as he gestured dramatically with his hands.
The scene inside from the window was predictably chaotic. Max, standing in the middle of the room with a clipboard, gesturing wildly as he spoke to a group of students. His jolly laugh rang out as he punctuated his sentences with dramatic flair.
Max:
“And then we’ll take the scene from the top! Remember, people, drama isn’t just a subject, it’s a lifestyle! Embrace it!”
Htet slowly stepped into the room, hoping to sneak past unnoticed, but Max’s sharp eyes caught him immediately.
Max (beaming):
“Htet! My favorite kouhai has arrived!”
Htet (frowning): *looks around*
“I’m the only kouhai here, aren’t I?”
Max (grinning):
“Exactly! Which makes you my favorite by default. Now, come over here; I saved you the most important role.”
Htet (frowning): "Urgh....."
---
~The Practice Begins~
Max (shouting across the room):
"Alright, people! Gather round! Let’s get this show on the road! We’ve got a skit to work on and no time to waste. Remember, it's all about passion!"
Htet (snorted to himself): "Passion?"
He didn’t feel the slightest ounce of passion for acting, yet here he was..again waiting for someone to tell him what to do.
As he set his bag down, Arjun, waved him over. He was already in his rehearsal position, reading his lines with an intensity that Htet found both amusing and intimidating.
Arjun (seriously):
“Let’s run through the scene again. I think we need to focus more on the timing between lines. It’s all about the delivery.”
Htet nodded politely, not entirely sure how to respond to that. He barely knew his lines.
Htet (under his breath):
“Timing, huh… I can barely remember my lines.”
But before he could get too caught up in his own self-doubt, Max bounded over, clapping Htet on the back with a force that nearly knocked him forward.
Max (grinning wide):
"Ah, our star actor! Htet! You ready to show us the depth of your inner thespian?"
Htet flinched, looking up at the cheerful face of the acting club president. Max always had this absurd energy about him...jolly, sarcastic, but strangely supportive. The more time Htet spent with him, the more he realized Max wasn’t just all about having fun. There is a genuine care beneath that playful exterior.
Htet (awkwardly):
“I’m, uh… I think I’m ready, I guess??”
Max clapped his hands together, practically vibrating with excitement.
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Max (smirking):
“I’m sure you are, Htet. You’ve got this. You’re the most natural actor I’ve seen since... well, since I started acting at the age of six.”
Htet didn’t know how to respond to that, so he just shrugged, trying not to draw attention to the fact that he had no idea what he was doing.
Max (taking a step back, looking at the group):
“Alright, listen up! We’re going to do a full run-through today. No holding back. I want to see everyone’s best performance, especially you, Htet. No shy characters today, just put out all the raw energy. Feel the scene! Muhahahaha! ”
The room was filled with a chorus of nervous chuckles and nods. Everyone knew they weren’t preparing for a grand performance anytime soon there was no event in sight. This was just practice...pure, unrefined acting in its most chaotic form.
---
Scene: The First Run-Through
Max:
“Okay, places everyone! Let’s go over the scene we’ve been working on! Htet, you’re up first, don’t disappoint me!”
Htet couldn’t help but gulp. Max’s voice was louder than usual, and there was a glint of mischief in his eyes.
Htet:
“Uh, sure… Let’s do this…”
He joined Sofia, Arjun, and a couple of other club members in the designated area. They were performing a scene about a misunderstanding involving a cultural tradition. Sofia, playing a Brazilian character, was offering food to Htet’s character, a man from Myanmar. The catch was that the food wasn’t familiar to him. There was supposed to be some humorous miscommunication that would eventually resolve through dialogue and learning about each other’s cultures.
As they started, Htet tried to focus on the lines, but the moment the words left his mouth, he found himself stumbling.
Htet (speaking awkwardly):
“Uh, I’m not sure what… this is, but, um, thank you?”
Sofia’s eyes widened dramatically.
Sofia (mock-shocked):
“What? You don’t like my food?!”
The others were watching, waiting for the punchline, but Htet could barely remember the next part.
Max (from the sidelines, calling out):
“NO! Htet! The line is supposed to have more of a… questioning tone! You’re not just ‘thank you’-ing her. You’re confused, you’re shocked. Don’t be polite, be inquisitive! You’re trying to understand what’s happening! Let’s see it! Come on boi! ”
Htet blinked, clearly confused by Max’s direction.
Htet (to himself, muttering):
“More confused? Well he did me me confused so....Alright…”
He tried again, trying to muster up a more befuddled expression.
Htet:
“W-Wait, what is this? You’re not… you’re not supposed to...um, you’re not supposed to give me… this… food?”
The group burst into laughter, even Arjun’s serious face breaking into a smile.
Sofia:
“Perfect! Now we just need the next part where you’re all like: I don’t understand, but I will try! ”
Htet smiled awkwardly, realizing that the more he tried to understand, the more bizarre it all seemed. But at least people were laughing.
Max (cheerfully):
“That’s what I’m talking about! Don’t hold back! That’s the spirit, Htet! Now we’re getting somewhere!”
Htet didn’t know whether to be flattered or terrified by the relentless energy Max poured into every direction.
---
Later, after another chaotic round of practice, Htet found himself in the hallway, stretching his legs. His mind was still spinning, trying to piece together the endless adjustments Max had been throwing at him.
Max (approaching him with a grin):
“Not bad at all, Htet-kun. You’re improving. Not everyone can step into this with no experience and actually make something of it.”
Htet turned, surprised by Max’s sudden praise.
Htet (frowning):
“You’re sure? I feel like I’m messing everything up…”
Max slapped him on the back again, harder than last time.
Max (laughing):
“Messing up? No, no, that’s all part of it! You see..in my point of view, acting isn’t about perfection, it’s about learning, failing, and then learning again. Look at me, for example.”
Htet raised an eyebrow, not sure where this was going.
Max (mock-solemnly):
“I was once a shy, introverted kid who didn’t know what the heck I was doing. But then, bam, I joined a club and discovered my inner drama king. Now look at me! Full of flair, charm, and, of course, humility.”
Htet couldn’t help but chuckle. He’d never seen anyone quite like Max...so carefree and yet strangely thoughtful when he wanted to be.
Htet (smiling slightly):
“You know, I thought this would be a total disaster, but… I don’t mind it so much.”
Max gave him a wide grin, practically beaming.
Max:
“I knew you’d come around. Acting’s all about finding a piece of yourself that you didn’t even know existed. And hey, you’re doing great. I might have to make you my understudy if I get sick.”
Htet (rolling his eyes):
“I’ll pass on that, thanks.”
Max (laughing):
“Wise choice. But hey, if you change your mind, the stage will always be waiting for you.”
---
As the club session wound down and the students packed up their things, Htet couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Maybe acting wasn’t so bad after all. Maybe it was just another way to connect with people. After all, if Max could find meaning in this world of chaos, why couldn’t he?
With the rehearsal over and everyone leaving for the day, Htet lingered behind, exchanging goodbyes with a few members. He hadn’t expected to bond so easily with people from so many different countries, but there was something comforting about their diversity. It was like they were all learning to express themselves in different ways.
Htet smiled as he looked around at the empty room.
Htet (to himself):
“Maybe this acting thing isn’t so bad. Just maybe…”
And with that, he walked out, feeling a little more at ease than when he’d first stepped in. Maybe, just maybe, this new chapter of his life would be worth the ride.