All activity that consists of acting class and also some voice and movement takes place in here. It can also be used as a practice area when classes are not in session

Christine Owen

Christine led Nick through a backstage door as she continued to look at the map. "Hmmm...ok let's see here. It says to go through this door and then down the hallway..."

She walked down the hallway and came to a door. "Hmmm...according to the sign on the side here it says this is also used for classes. But we don't have to worry about that today anyway." She slowly opened the door and turned on the light. "Well, it looks like this is it. Welcome to The Black Box."

Nick Williams

He smiled appreciatively and stepped in front of the mirrors. Nick carefully balanced on his left leg while lifting his other one into the air. He held the arabesque pose for several moments and then settled onto both his feet. He turned towards Christene. "I apologize. When I dance.. I often forget who else might be watching." He shrugged. "Now.. do you want to try the piroutte again?"

Christine Owen

Christine smiled. "So it would appear that we both have things we become enthusiastic about and forget if anyone might be around." She glanced around the room where she saw a piano. "Well look, there's a piano in here too. And...it looks like there are outlets here too so you could plug in a boom box. And listen to the acoustics in here? It's perfect for practicing vocally. I may have found my private place to practice now. Then again...you know of it now so it's hardly really private anymore is it?"

She sat on the floor and took off her shoes. "And by the way, I don't mind watching you dance. So don't feel you have to stop on my account." She paused. "If you don't mind me asking....why didn't you go into ballet professionally? I mean...from what I've seen I would say you had a good chance."

Nick Williams

He nodded slowly and traced patterns in the dust that covered the lid of the piano. "I did have a good chance. In fact until about a year ago I was planning on dancing with the New York company or maybe even London." Nick was quiet trying to think how to tell her this. "Things happened though. I got in a bad accident. They told me I wouldn't be able to dance again." He chuckled softly. "But at least I was alive right? Jess.. Jess wasn't so lucky." He swiped at his eyes in an irritated manner. "Anyways I proved them wrong. I'm dancing but no one will take me as a professional. This just seemed like the next best thing." Nick looked down at the floor trying to gain control of his emotions. Even after more than a year he missed Jess so much that it hurt. And talking about it only brought back the pain.

Christine Owen

Christine listened to Nick's words with sympathy. The last thing she had wanted to do was open up a wound like that. She should have known better than to put her nose where it didn't belong.

She walked over to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Nick, I'm...I'm so sorry. I had no idea that was the reason. It must be terrible to lose someone that you care for. But...if you don't mind me sayin so, I believe you are quite brave and strong. Instead of...letting that terrible event completely effect you, you have chosen to continue to dance. I believe that makes you very strong in body and soul."

Nick Williams

"Of course I'm still dancing! It's not as if I could give it up." He shoved her hand away and walked across the room. Nick leaned against the mirrored wall for several minutes. "I'm sorry Christene.... You were trying to comfort me and I had no right to blow up at you like that." His voice was quiet and he turned around to face her. "Its just... She was the most amazing person I've ever known. And now she's gone and I'm left. I miss her." He smiled sadly and shrugged. "Jess was my partner. In dance class we did everything together. If it was Beauty and the Beast she played Belle. If it was Swan Lake she was Swanilda. Every time I dance it hurts because she's not there. But I can't stop. It's the only thing that keeps me from going crazy."

Christine Owen

Christine was slightly hurt when Nick pushed her away. There she was offering her honest voice and it was getting her into trouble. If she had one weakness about her, it was her honesty sometimes. She listened intently as Nick told her about Jess and it was evident that he cared a lot about her.

She took a breath. "Nick, I can understand about you being upset at me for what I said. I had no right to pry into your personal life. It's just that...well I'm an honest person when it comes to things like this...I don't think. And...it's obvious to me that this Jess was a very dear person to you. I've never...had anyone like that that I felt close to except my brother, Fox. And I know...that if something were to ever happen to him, I would probably lose my singing voice and my reason for living altogether. He has been my inspiration, my rock...everything." She paused. "I know it's hard for you to talk about, Nick, but...if you ever need someone to talk to about this, I would be more than willing to listen. I've been told...that I somehow have a way...of being able to help others. And...I'm not looking to replace your dear friend, Jess, by any means."

Nick Williams

He smiled and took Christene's hand, pressing her fingers to his lips. "Thankyou. You don't know how much that means to me." Nick let go of her hand. "It's good to have a friend. And if you ever need me... Please don't hesitate to come looking for me." He was silent for one long moment before he found the words to say what he felt. "You say that you wouldn't be able to sing if you were to lose your brother. But.. Honestly Christene you don't know that. Often when the thing that we love most is taken away from us everything else becomes that much more precious. Every word you sing would be more meaningful because you have felt the pain that your character is feeling. People would be even more enthralled with you than they are now." He dropped his eyes in embarassment. "You have a beautiful voice. If you were to give up this gift it would be a horrible loss to the world."

Christine Owen

Christine blushed slightly as Nick put her fingers to his lips. That was obviously not quite the reaction she expected. There was almost something....different about Nick, like he had some old world charm about him or something?

"I...I think we can help each other in some ways, Nick." She lowered her head again as he commented about her voice. "Nick, you say that have a beautiful voice and that if I were to never sing again it would be a loss. And yet...you have not heard me yet." She gave him a slight smile.

Nick Williams

He smiled broadly his eyes looking at a point somewhere over her shoulder. "If your speaking voice is any indication then you have a magnificent singing voice. Quite enchanting." Nick crossed to the piano and plunked out a tune playfully. "I'm not the best player in the world but my Mum taught me a few songs. What will you sing for me Chris?"

Christine Owen

"My speaking voice?" Christine asked as she pointed to herself. "Well, no one has ever told me that I have a nice speaking voice before. My family is Irish but I try not to let that accent seep in but sometimes it does. The only time it doesn't is when I sing. As for me singing? I'm not quite sure if you can play some of the pieces that I've done." She paused. "Well...you don't know anything from Phantom of the Opera so hmmmm..."

She walked over to the piano. "Well...do you know how to play Oh What A Beautiful Mornin' from the musical Oklahoma? I'm asking because I know it's a popular song for Broadway. And in the show it's sung by a man but a female can sing it too."

Nick Williams

Nick ran his fingers over the keys trying to remember the notes to the song she requested. "I can't promise that it will be anything like what you've usually sung to but it might just resemble music." He laughed and began to play, haltingly and often hitting some wrong notes but it was a passable preformance. "Ok Christene. Just start whenever you're ready."

Christine Owen

"Nick, I don't expect you to play it perfectly." Christine teased. "I just find it a priviledge to get you to play anything."

She walked over to the other side of the piano and placed her hand on it. She then took a deep breath and began to sing. Her facial expressions matching the words she sang.

There's a bright golden haze on the meadow,
There's a bright golden haze on the meadow.
The corn is as high as an elephant's eye,
And it looks like it's climbin' clear up to the sky!

She moved away from the piano slightly, taking a step forward.

Oh what a beautiful mornin'! Oh what a beautiful day!
I got a beautiful feelin' everything's goin my way!
Oh, what a beautiful day!

She ended with a complete look of serenity on her face and then turned to Nick. "Well? Can you confirm what you thought earlier?"

Nick Williams

He smiled broadly as she sang, completly confident in her voice and abilities. "Well... I'm not sure what to say Christene." Nick rubbed the back of his neck and looked up at her sheepishly. "Other than I have no clue what the hell you're doing here as a student. You've got a lovely voice to match that lovely face." He grinned and chuckled. He was only half-joking. "Seriously though, I can't wait to see you in a production. I'm sure that you'll get that part you want in the Phantom thing... Whatever it was you called it."

Christine Owen

Christine smiled and leaned slightly to the side. "You really think so? I mean...I've always had my friends and family tell me that I have a nice voice but...to hear it from someone who doesn't really know me means more." She paused. "Like...you and Noah. As for why I am here? Well, want to make sure I have the experience necessary so that when I audition I don't make a fool of myself. And...I also wanted to get a chance to sing some opera too if possible. I figure between my vocal coachings and...with your ballet help, I may have a good chance when I do audition. And if we're going to be friends then you need to know it's called The Phantom of the Opera." She grinned.

Nick Williams

He grinned right back at her and wiggled his ears, a talent he had picked up as a little kid. "Ok Madame. Phantom of the Opera." Nick stood up from the piano bench and stretched. "As for the ballet... I think that will have to wait. I'm stiff and it would take me awhile to warm up again. Is that ok?" He looked at her carefully, not wanting to get her upset. "Maybe tomorrow after lunch we can have ballet 101. Just us." He laughed slightly.

Christine Owen

Christine giggled slightly as she watched Nick's ears wiggle. "Of course I understand why your legs might be stiff. I'm still hungry from my trip here too so I think I am going to hunt down some food. As for after lunch? Well, I think maybe after class might be more appropriate. Would...evening be ok? I'm sure if we asked they could have either the stage or this room open for us."

Nick Williams

"Yeah that sounds great." He smiled and began to pull of his dance shoes, tossing them into his duffle bag. Nick looked up at her and shook his head. "You know we've spent almost all day together but I know nothing about you. Tomorrow I'll buy you coffee and you're going to tell me all the dirty secrets ok?" He laughed to let her know that he was only joking. But in all reality he was curious about Christene. What drove her to sing? Where did she come from? All the little things that shaped a person into who they were.

Christine Owen

"Sure, we can do that if you want." Christine replied. "Although, I think I should tell you that I have no dirty secrets. That's my brother's department." She smiled, paused and then held out her hand. "Well, it's been a pleasure, Nick. I guess this is where we part our ways for the night?"

Nick Williams

He smiled and took her hand in a firm shake. "No the pleasure has been all mine." Nick lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed them again. "Until tomorrow Christene. A bien tot." The French goodbye was something he always used with the women in his life, be they his Mother, teachers or just random females he met on the street. He picked up his duffle bag and, holding the door to the Black Box open for Christene made his way back to his room.