Kyndall thought long and hard about her decisions. She'd debated time and again about who did what strongly and how it should be reflected. She also took into account age and seriousness and in the end came up with a cast list she thought would bring out the best in her actors and be the best thing for the show. Telling people they hadn't gotten the parts they wanted was never easy but she'd done it often enough to know it was necessary.

She gathered them all in the drama room attached to the main stage. It was normally her classroom but now it was full of young, hopeful faces. She held the cast list in her hands and tried not to let it show.

“Some of you didn’t get what you auditioned for and I’m hoping that’s alright. I had to consider not only what you wanted but what you’d be good at as well. When I read your name I’ll explain why I chose the way I did and if you have additional questions please see me privately once the list is posted.”

She took a deep breath, steeling herself against getting too personally emotional with this. Casting was a part of life and she’d felt her share of disappointments. My part’s too small. I wanted another role. The list went on and on. She’d heard it all and had to be calm and impartial.

“For our lead role of King Arthur I chose Alexandre Evans.” She knew he’d be surprised for this, about as surprised as she and Gently were that he auditioned for Mordred. “I think you could bring a sense of humanity to the part which is what I really want to do. A good man making bad decisions and trying to hold true to an ideal and come out best for it.”

If only she knew how true that really was.

“For Lady Guinevere I chose Genevieve Ame. It was a tough decision, ladies, and I did not make it lightly. I think Miss Ame will reflect how hard it was for Guinevere to betray her husband for love of another man. I personally do not think it was an easy decision for her.”

She looked at Genevieve and smiled, hoping she made the right choice. The reoccurring theme here seemed to be humanity in all its forms played out for the public to see.

“For the Wizard Merlin I chose Zac Bantock.” She hoped Micah wasn’t too disappointed. She liked the girl, she really did. “It was a long debate and I feel Zac would bring a mortal shell to the magical man.”

It wasn’t like she didn’t have faith in Micah’s abilities. She did. She had cast Micah for something she felt would suit her as well.

“Kess auditioned an amazing Lancelot so I think we’ll keep her there.”

Even heroes had their downfall and she felt Kess was up to the challenge of making Lancelot a hero personified and human as well.

“I gave the Lady Morgan Le Fey to Daphne Proudmore. You play innocent well, my dear, but what you said about fairness makes me think you can make Morgan sympathetic even as she plots to bring down Arthur.”

She neglected to mention, of course, that Arthur and Morgan were step siblings and their incest begot Mordred to overthrow his father. As Tony said – best not to mention it.

“To the role of Mordred I cast Miss Flannery Spicer. Pirates are all wonderful and good but I think you can bring the darkness to this part that it needs. Mordred hates his father and I needed someone I trust to portray that and still make Mordred seem real as a victim of his mother’s plotting and circumstance.”

To her Mordred needed to be played with delicacy and though it wasn’t the lead she felt confident Flannery could take this on in a way that made him real. She hoped the girl understood that and wasn’t too disappointed.

“Jonathan Miller was cast for Sir Galahad on the strict instruction that he come talk to me once I post the lists so we can discuss a few things before we start rehearsals.”

But at least he made her laugh. He was enthusiastic and over the top and Galahad was very much an enthusiastic knight. However, she needed to have him tone it down if he hoped to be on her stage. No shining hearts or monk’s robes. Knights wore armor.

“Talia Chu will play handmaiden to the Queen and her confidante, Lady Rosalind.”

No explanation necessary, really. She knew it wasn’t what Talia had gone for originally but she also knew not everyone could be the star. There were a lot of parts and from here on in it was just a matter of convenience.

“The Lady of the Lake will be played by Miss Bell McMahon. Sir Gawain by Mr. Bjorn Guildson though do see our costumer Laney when first rehearsal begins for fitting.”

The boy was huge and that was her only concern. It would be impossible to find armor to fit him. It would have to be made. She didn’t envy Laney’s job at that moment.

“Micah, I want you to bring your wisdom and subtlety to Sir Gareth. He helped guide the knights the way Merlin guided Arthur. I think you’ll do well there.”

She smiled at the girl.

“Mr. Darrow will be playing the aged King Uther.”

She knew this was a student’s play but his age worked to her advantage. And she liked seeing him squirm and had all but twisted his arm to get him to do it. It was a small part in the beginning of the play and he would do nothing but give a small speech about being a king and nobility before dying with dignity. He could handle that, she was sure of it.

“To our youngest actors, Peter and Ainsley, I assigned the Lady Nineve and her husband, Sir Leon. I’m sure you two will be wonderful for these parts.”

They were smaller parts but had a few lines each and she hoped the children wouldn’t be too disappointed. Ainsley’s audition nearly had her falling to pieces with cuteness and Peter had tried for the very loft position of Arthur. As much as she wanted to give it to him the part was simply too mature for someone his age. Leon was stalwart and heroic so she thought he’d like the fit.

“The cast list will be posted on the board and rehearsal starts Monday afternoon at four PM. It runs every day after school from four to seven. If you have questions please see me.”

She moved to the board and pinned the list in place with the crew members listed beneath the cast. Then she moved to her desk in case anyone needed to see her.