CHAPTER 4: SPEECH OF THE STAR
"Good idea Mr. Director." Nova smiled and nodded.
"Good. Now, the first episode is to be shot today evening. We already arranged everything and as you know there is no enough time to rest since the audience is always eager to see you on their screens. Secondly, the first year's need you to do some briefings on script writing and that happens in a few minutes time. The theatre department suggested you because you are the best. In a few minutes time, you're needed at the auditorium."
"Right away director." Nova closed the laptop and handed it to the director. The casts were to do some rehearsals before the real time as they always did and she was to leave immediately. She stood up and walked out accompanied by another actor named Jamal.
"hey... Sometime I wish I were in your shoe." Jamal said meaning it. Nova smiled.
"What's great about being in my shoe?" She asked smiling.
"All these fame, first class treatments and respect from everyone is just great. No one was chosen to talk to the newbies except you. That explains how much the school values you." Jamal rolled his hands in his hair. Nova didn't say anything. She just entered the auditorium and took her seat in between the many lecturers and the big figures who came to advice the newbies.
After the many lecturers had talked, it was time for the theatre department to give their speech. Having enough confidence, Nova stood up and walked on the stage. She cleared her voice and waited for the happy newbies to calm down. They had of course seen her on several TV shows and they recognised who this great lady was.
"Am so happy to welcome you all to this great university which gives us a chance to explore the talents within us. There are many of you here who chose different courses, but I also know we have the theatre students. My speech doesn't really focus on the theatre students but all of us. You can be from a different department but a good script writer. We have a theatre hall where we do support such talents. Theatre students, we can do our best. The chances are here and the school is always ready to help when you show what you can do.
There are many themes we can write about because writing and acting is all about what happens around us always. It's only edited and made more realistic on the screens. We all dream big, we all want to be great in this life. It's all about what efforts you put in to achieve your goal..."
She gave a long speech that moved the hearts of everyone. She signed and looked at the crowd which was listening carefully. She smiled and everyone cheered as she turned to whisper something to the head of department. "I wasn't prepared for speeches. I can only request to talk more to the theatre class some days after this." She said. The head of department smiled and stood up.
"Guys... We still have enough time to talk more." Nova smiled as she walked aside. The head of department took the stage. "I hope her speech was an inspiration to everyone. Am proud the University raised such a star and in future, she will not only be a star here bit also in the whole world. She's still a student here and you guys can always exchange much with her. She is always available." The head of department finished his speech and walked aside.
Other departments took the stage and Nova and the head of theatre department walked out. Everyone cheered and the great had to wait until they calmed down.
"How is the progress?" the head of department asked.
"Well, we're starting the new series today. Besides that, everything is fine. But head of department, I have an issue to raise." She said with her angelic voice. The head of department stopped.
"What's that?" he asked in a concerned voice.
"This script is very long and has many complicated scenes. That only means the department has to raise more money to support the casts, venue and..."
"Don't worry about that. All the TV stations that paid to air the last show paid enough. We obtained about ten million from the last series. Also, the school is always ready to support everyone. Last time the sports department left for abroad competition. The university takes extra curriculum activities seriously so don't worry. So go since when you started this whole serious production, the school has benefited greatly. That's why even the vice chancellor gave you a chance to present while all other departments were not given a chance to have a student present." The head of department said.
"Thanks head of department. I may take my leave now." She smiled and walked away. The head of department looked at her until she disappeared.
Nova walked back into the theatre hall and had a talk with the director. She then went to join other casts who were doing their practices. She took first episode of the script and went through. Although she was the author, she had to go through to avoid errors during the real shooting.
"I can imagine how exciting this series will be. The script is so appetising." Ivan said.
"Good heavens you love it." Nova smiled.
"I do. All thanks to you for being this talented." Ivan said while tucking his hair behind his ears. He was also handsome and outstanding in appearance and he was taking the role of the main male character.
"At first I doubted myself though. I thank the school for its support. The production crew were always ready to help." She said while gently folding the paper on her hand.
"If all the theatre students were putting in as much efforts as you do, we would be " he said.
"You are putting in enough strength. It's all about your ambition. Not everyone who do theatre arts wants to do this. Besides, don't wait for the crowd for you to move forward. Just do so with those who are ready to move forward too." Nova rolled her beautiful eyes at him. If Ivan said he didn't have a crush on this goddess, he would be lying. He didn't love her from the start, especially her positive mind set and her readiness to face the future.
On the other hand, Nova was thinking about the party at the club. The exciting part wasn't going with Yuvan Ranvier, it was dancing with him with no care in the world. Her mind was at rest and her heart was at peace. She even smiled while Ivan was talking just by remembering all that. If life was always that great. But then, Jamal walked in.
"Guys, did you check the headlines of today's university newspaper?" he asked while holding the newspaper in his hands.
"I haven't been to the library and didn't buy it either. Anything good so far?" Ivan turned to him. The university was so large and it did support the journalism students by coming up with school TV station, radio station and print media. Ivan took the paper from Jamal, read the headlines, then looked at Nova. "The rose of the University spotted dancing with a stranger who is rumoured...