This is an original story in three chapters. All are written and will appear regularly, space permitting. Although I have used the character names of some of the cast of West Side Story and have mentioned at least one of the theatres where it was revived a few years ago, no specific correspondence with any person or place is intended. This is entirely fiction. All characters engaged in sexual acts are over 18, as should be any reader where local law so requires. The story is focused on the young star, Kirk Olsen, all told in his voice. There is no romantic sex in this chapter, just a few hooks. So "bare" with me. Š 2023. All rights reserved--Brunosden
Dad was driving me to Byrd where I would be a third year transfer student in their world famous performing arts program. It was the weekend before Labor Day and the weather was greatâcool and dry. The color had not come to the trees yet, but summer in the Northeast was coming to an end.
I had graduated three years ago from Fairfield-Jefferson High, a public high school in Fairfield County, Connecticut with a good reputation and the opportunity to complete many college level courses before graduation. I had taken a "gap" year and worked two full time jobs, saving thousands while living at home and auditioning for the local rep companyâgetting roles in most of the productions. Then I had gone to the local community college, majoring in communications, while working part time. So I had about five semester of work under my belt and an Associate degree. Finally, I had to follow my dreamâan acting career built on the Byrd curriculum and with Byrd credentials. I applied, furnished several videos of my acting roles, and was accepted as a transfer, with a partial tuition scholarship.
Byrd, located in a sleepy little burg on the Hudson River, about 80 miles north of the City, had become famous for educating all of the important people necessary for Broadwayâserious drama, comedies, and musicals. Many famous Broadway hits had been born at Bard or "worked on" at Byrd. And of course, many Byrd alums were now on Broadway or in regional theatresâas actors, producers, directors, and tech support. It even had a new state of the art performing arts centerâduplicating many of the technical breakthroughs being used on Broadway.
I absolutely had the acting bug. It was all I ever wanted. I had had it since I was fiveâputting on one-boy shows for parents and friends, acting in high school productions, and even doing three summers of "stock" at the Olde Lyme Shoreside Playhouse (where I waited tables morning, noon, and dark nights at the playhouse). I lived in mostly one room rented flats in tenements, often sharing kitchen and bath. This last summer, I had been cast in leading roles. I think I've got a good voice, although it needs professional coaching. I can dance, but again my routines need to be polished, and I must learn modern choreography cues. When a dance director says 3, followed by 2 and then a reverse 4, I need to be able to do those steps instantly without further explanation.
I've been told that I've got a good body. One director even called me a magnificent hunk of a man, shortly after my 19
th
birthday. (I was pretty naĂŻve. But, I loved the compliment. He took me to his motel room bed that night ostensibly for some personal direction. It certainly was personal. He seduced me pretty easily, and fucked my ass until I could barely walk. But, I did get the part. And I did learn that my sexual preferences tended toward men, particularly dominant types.) Spending hours in the gym, I had developed a hard chest, tight abs, slim hips, and a tight muscled butt. That and running kept me really cut--my fat below 7%. Reciprocal grooming sessions with my best friend David, a fellow would-be actor, had produced a nicely smooth torso, a sculpted hair style that looked breezy and casual, trimmed eyebrows, and well-tended pubes (the latter typically not necessary for the stage, unless a gay director or casting agent required a full-body inspection before deciding on filling a role). We also fooled around a bit, experimenting with male sexual possibilities. So I knew I was bi, maybe gay.
I'm six footâtall enough for leading roles, but not so tall as to be objectionable to typically shorter female leads or the many male leads who are height-challenged. I'm the quintessential All-American boyâblond, blue-eyed, athletic, projecting confidence (while often tentative and terrified inside), sincerity (I'm really quite good at projecting sincerity which is another name for eagerness) and innocence (well, two out of three isn't so badâbut my innocent act does come off as coy and charming).
Byrd was going to provide me the essentials for a modern acting careerâand the credentials that would open doors and auditions.
We arrived on campus, registered and were directed to an unloading spot assigned to my dorm. The old brick building had character, but fortunately it had been completely modernized with new baths, air-conditioning, and even a few study rooms on the entrance level. It was one of the co-ed dormsâevery other floor in this case. My room was on the second floor, overlooking a large green with the Hudson in the far distance. It was a double and shared a small bath with the adjoining doubleâtwo sinks, one shower, a closet WC. My roommate, whom I knew only by name and home town (Allen Page from Springfield, IL), had not yet arrived, but Allen was also a transfer. He was a musician. By exchanged emails, we had allocated responsibilities for LED, micro, game station, fridge, and coffee pot.
Dad helped me move stuff up, all of which was piled next to one of the two long-single beds. I wasn't planning to claim territory until my roommate arrived. He was expected soon. Farewells were said. Dad added the familiar (and corny), "Break a leg, son. We're proud of you." He was leaving, when Allen arrived. Introductions were made and Dad was off, hoping to make the three hour drive home before dark. We began to scope out the room, recognizing that some adjustments would need to be made for Allen's electric keyboard. We decided to bunk the beds; so we removed the bedding and lifted. Allen would take the topâsmall compensation for making room for the instrument. The rest of our stuff fit more or less easily into the chests and closet. Neither of us had much to store. The new bath had built in space for a micro and a coffee makerâwhich I had brought. The LED was installed over the keyboard. We were soon moved in.
Before dinner we compared notes and similar backgrounds: middle class parents, public school, various working gigs since we were 16, left-brain oriented toward music, dance and theatre. We were about the same height, although Allen claimed to have two left feet when it came to dance and I had probably spent considerably more time at the gym. Allen spent enough time gazing at my body that I almost started to wonder if my fly was open, whether I had soiled myselfâor whether Allen was gay.