Table Read - The Understudy Act One

Episode Date: January 11, 2026

What happens when you wish you were someone else… and the universe says bet?Natalie Primavera has a million followers, perfect technique, and the lead role in every show. Ava Ross has a cracked phone, a boyfriend who sings like naked Miley Cyrus, and a work-study job sweeping up after other dancers.One ancient snow globe. Two desperate wishes. And suddenly they wake up in each other’s bodies.There’s just one problem: Natalie’s body is now in a hospital bed with a shattered hip. And Ava’s body? It’s about to dance the Sugar Plum Fairy… with ankles like wet spaghetti.What follows is the funniest, most chaotic Nutcracker rehearsal season in history... zombie cats, possessed dolls, a Romanian ballet master who might actually be a warlock, his terrifying nine-year-old son, and a love triangle nobody ordered.But underneath the chaos is something real: two girls discovering that the lives they envied aren’t what they seemed.It’s Freaky Friday meets Center Stage, and it hits.THE UNDERSTUDY: ACT ONEWritten by award-winning writer Jenna St. John.Starring: Kensington Tallman as Natalie Primavera Logan Laurel as Ava Ross Konstantin Lavysh as Mr. Constantine Carson Bolde as Grayson Garcia Sasha Knight as Trevor Rita Dos Santos as Kenzie Samantha A. Smith as Jasmine Kearn Eva Binder as Zoe Dennings Adele Abinante as Bean Ross Avery Clyde as Mrs. Primavera Katherine Brunk as Ms. Ross Brandon Potter as Mr. Primavera Sarah Elmaleh as Miss Lana Miki Yamashita as Miss Miyako Paula Tiso as NarratorOnly on Table Read.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One, two, three. Table read, the understudy. Oh, that was by bad. No podcast. And that's where we embraced the information. I totally screwed that out. So sorry. All right, ready.

One, two, three. Table read, the understudy. Excellent. Beautiful. That's rock. The understudy, written by Jenna St. John. Fade in. Exterior 15th Century Town Square, Night.

A glowing green ancient snow globe sits alone in the dark and inside are two dancer figurines. A hand snatches the globe. It belongs to Mr. Constantine, 30s, as an army of skeletons with glowing green eyes approach it. Reveal Town Square. Skeletons lunge out from doors and darkness. Mr. Constantine does ballet a second turns and knocks out two rounds of skeletons with his outstretched foot. He slides on his knees presenting the globe too. A panicked ballerina.

She timidly grabs the globe. A skeleton snatches Constantine, pulling him away. I wish my things to return as they were. Constantine now has skeletons climbing on top of him, burying him. His outstretched arm disappears in the sea of bone. The globe's green globe burns out, and the skeletons drop lifeless.

Finally, Mr. Constantine bursts out of the bony rubble, stands, taking ballerina's hand. They both turn to face. A modern-day audience erupts in applause. Tossing bouquets of flowers onto the stage, ballerina turns to Constantine. I swear, I didn't mean any harm. A skeleton hand twitches. Four-year-old Fritz rushes onto the stage from the audience with a wooden stored, sword, sword.

I loved all of them. I was giving a little variety. You said you wanted it. A skeleton hand twitches. Four-year-old Fritz rushes onto the stage from the audience with a wooden sword, bludgeoning the lifeless pile of bones. Heavy red velvet curtains close. Blackout.

White screen. As opening credits begin, we're bombarded with photo after photo, video after video, of Natalie Primaver. 17 social media pages. Natalie is ballet perfection, executing difficult poses with an omnipresent smile. With 985,000 followers, we see her profile picture and name.

Natalie Primavera, Wilburn Arts High School Senior, aspiring ballerina at Royal Ballet, coffee obsessed. Photos of Natalie at school, hair down, and casual clothes, posing with her two ballerina best friends, Jasmine 17 and Zoe 18, alongside designer cupcakes and mochas.

A selfie video of Natalie with a tight bun and fresh makeup focuses on her in front of a poster for Nutcracker Auditions. Her audition for senior year, and I'm hoping this is my year to be the sugar palm fairy. Natalie blows a kiss to the camera. Exterior Wilburn Arts High School Day. Natalie stands near the front doors of Wilburn High School. of the arts. Next to Nutcracker Auditions poster fluttering in the wind. She tucks away her phone as she notices dark clouds roll in over the school. Natalie pops in earbuds

and Chikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Ferry fills the air. She takes a deep breath and enters through the doors of the school. The wind rips the poster off the door. Interior School Hallway Rehearsal Studio Day. Natalie walks down an empty hall, hallway and turns on point of her sneakers to a hallway full of dancers, stretching and on their phones in various groups. All turn to look at Natalie, including her designer dancewear friends at the end of the hallway, Jasmine Kern, 17, and twins, Zoe and Brock Dennings 18. Natalie makes her way down the hall when the double doors of the dance studio swing open to reveal Mr. Constantine.

Mid-40s, the same Romanian man seen holding the green. globe, but now a bit older. Thunder claps, lights flicker on and off. Natalie pauses, and the two look at one another. The door shuts with a sign, auditions, posted on the door. Natalie cracks open the door to investigate, but a messy ponytail obscures her view. It's Ava Ross, 17. A meek girl in schlubby sweats, pushing a large broom in the studio.

The two girls suddenly faced a face to a woman. face reeled back from one another. Ava laughs nervously. Did you need to talk to Mr. Constantine? Where's Mrs. Brewer? Ava shrugs. Oh, good luck today. It's bad luck to wish good luck.

Some squeals from the hallway pulls Natalie's attention away. Ava's smile drops, continuing to sweep and watch. Mom? What are you doing here? Zoe, Jasmine, and other dancers. and other dancers surround Mrs. Primavera, 50s. Stylish and elegant woman with a box of point shoes. I brought you a fresh pair just in case. And you left so fast I didn't get to wish you a big pile of shit.

The dancers excitedly gasp, and Natalie shoots her mom a look. Mired, my love. Thanks, Mom. Are you costuming the show again? I wouldn't skip your last year if it was the end of the world. Mom, you can go now. As Mrs. Primavera exits, she points to Natalie and places her hand on her heart, mouthing, you are my heart.

Natalie repeats the quiet ritual to her mom with a smile. Interior rehearsal studio day. Auditioners and point shoes and dance attire are seated in clicks, as Mr. Constantine and Miss Miyako and Miss Lana, 40s to 60s ballet mistresses, stand at the front of the studio. Natalie, Jasmine, Zoe, and Brock stretch in slow motion, legs pulled over their heads

and perfectly lit as though they're in a dance ad. Zoe kisses her phone. Did you just kiss your phone? I kissed to me three times and then my wishes come true. I wish to be clever. Want to try?

Zoe flashes her lock screen, a picture of Timothy Shalame. I'm good. What roles are you auditioning for? Just a sugar plum fairy. Is your bun too tight? What if you don't get it? I've got it.

Ava sits with Kenzie 17 on the gloomy side of the studio. Their eyes fixed on Natalie and her friends. Look at her. She's like a bullshoy sleeper agent. Why am I here again? Because Miss Miyako said you should audition for the sugar plum fairy. She's like Master Miyagi. Talent in you she sees.

Wait. That's Yoda. Did you know it's bad luck to wish good luck? Yeah, everybody knows that. Miss Miyako eagerly approaches the center of the studio. Dancers! While Mrs. Brewer is on maternity leave, we're very lucky to have Mr. Constantine here

from the Romanian ballet to direct this season's Nutcracker. Not to mention, he's sadly married. What does a woman need to do to find an eligible? Bubba, guigabababba. We're very lucky to have Mr. Constantine here from the Romanian ballet to direct this season's nutcrack. Not to mention he's sadly married. What does a woman need to do to find an eligible bachelor? Enough.

What enters your mind when you think of the nutcracker? Christmas. Yes. Winter. Cold. Shrouds of snow. Natalie exchanges glances with her friends. Anyone else?

Silence. Mr. Constantine holds up the ancient snow globe containing two dark figures in a frosted forest. He cranks the knob, playing a tinny pot-de-de-de-de-e from Chikovsky's Nutcracker. The Nutcracker. A Christmas ballet over a hundred years old, danced by thousands of dancers, millions of times. Music reaching billions of ears. There is magic. Is magic in this?

Real magic. Is there magic in you? Mr. Constantine gingerly places the snow globe on the piano. Let the additions begin. The front door opens, and all dancers turn in unison to look at Grayson. A charming, shaggy-haired senior. Grayson halts, as all the faces are staring at him. Mr. Garcia?

Yeah, that's me. Uh, Grayson. super chill group here. Ah. Natalie chuckles. Prince Cavaliers and sugar plum fairy stay. Everyone else wait out in the hole. Dancers file out as Natalie looks around

and sees auditioner number one staying put. Natalie shoots her a look. Auditioner number one abruptly gets up and leaves. Natalie notices Jasmine lingering and raises her eyebrows. Jasmine catches Natalie's look. What are you doing? I'm auditioning? I'll blow my audition if I'm up against my best friend.

You'll get Snow Queen. You're perfect for it. I was Snow Queen last year. Whatever. Fine. Jasmine scoffs and exits angrily. Most dancers have left the studio with Natalie, Brock, Grayson, and Ava left. Natalie does a double take at Ava. We're auditioned with Pada Duh, the heart of these roles.

Wait, the solo has always been the audition for the audition for the show. audition for the sugar plum fairy. Do you know the Padre deau? Yes, but I've practiced the solo a million times. Do you know it? Eva nods. The Padredue. In the other world beyond Clara's household, while everyone sleeps.

Ignorant? Ignorant of what, exactly? The other world. Thunder booms. The lights flicker. Miss Miyako and Miss Lana look up at the ceiling. What are you doing? I'm setting the scene.

Let's start with Natalie Primavera and Brock Dennings. Natalie pulls on her rehearsal tutu as she walks to her spot on the dance floor with Brock. The pianist starts the music. Natalie and Brock execute the dance with skillful ease. Natalie's turns are in triples. Her extensions reach her ear. And with the final lift and drop, Natalie flashes a large smile. Miss Miyako and Miss Lana mouth.

Wow. Natalie's smile drops as Mr. Constantine shakes his head. Miss Primavera, what was going through your mind while dancing? Well, I was counting, obviously, and made sure I stayed lifted so that my extension... Next pair. Ava and Grayson? Ava, in a wrinkled rap skirt, hurries to the floor with Grayson as Natalie sulkily sits with a frown. The pianist begins.

Ava and Grayson dance. Ava's leaps are low. Her turns are in singles, and her extensions barely make it happen. her hip. But there's a clear sadness behind her eyes and her body moves as one with the music. Miss Lana, Miss Miyako, and Mr. Constantine watch attentively nodding. Even Natalie is pulled in by Ava's performance. Mr. Constantine smiles large as the dancers finish. He looks at Ava and taps his heart. Thank you. Goodbye dancers. Ava's eyes widen. Does she have a chance? Natalie's eyes dart.

Wait, aren't you going to ask her what was in her mind? I don't have to. You'll hear the audition results tonight by email. Thanks again. Ava, Grayson, and Brock head out the door. Miss Lana, Miss Miyako, and Mr. Constantine rummage through papers together. The pianist coughs, and eyes the center of the room where Natalie is planted, arms crossed. Here we go.

You know, Ava Ross has only been dancing for five years? She just got on point. Yeah, she probably shouldn't be on point. on point. Your technique is excellent. You don't need to put her down to show how good you are. That's not what I'm doing. Look, I'm a senior and I've played every role in the Nutcracker except the Sugar Plum Fairy. I know every note of that song. It's not a role for beginners. It's the most advanced role in this ballet. If ballet is only about technique, it would put audiences to sleep. I want to feel something. This piece is about heartbreak. I want to feel my heart

Break. It's a happy ballet. It's about Christmas. Christmas makes people feel happy. Christmas makes me feel agony. The lights flicker. That's creepy. It's like I'm teaching in public school again.

Play the piece. The pianist obediently begins playing the pot-a-do. Listen. From the other world. The land of sweets. Memory is not sweet. It's nostalgic, gone forever. Don't think about choreography,

social media or Chris Hemsworth. Find purpose in it. Dance is purpose for me. Listen! Natalie closes her eyes. The music seems to grow louder and Natalie's shoulders relax, her head swaying with the notes.

Mr. Constantine eyes the globe on the piano and smiles. Holy shit. Yes. Holy shit. Can you feel all of that and dance at the same time? Mr. Constantine,

There's over a hundred dancers waiting. Natalie snaps out of it and charges out the door with a huff. Interior school hallway, day. Natalie closes her dance bag with a furious zip. Jasmine and Zoe stand around her with nervous excitement. That was beautiful, Nat. You have it for sure. Ava Ross is a core dancer at best.

I've seen smaller shoes on clowns. Miss Miyako pops her head out of the door. Snow Queen's next. Miss Miyako. addresses Jasmine. I'm surprised I didn't see you in there with the sugar plum fairies. Natalie's the sugar plum fairy. Jasmine walks in confidently with a group of nervous dancers.

Natalie walks down the hall when an eager Eva approaches. Wow, you made that look so easy. All ballet looks the same when it's done right. Exterior historic bridge, Sunset. Natalie is lost on her phone, swiping over and over to refresh her email, sitting on the hood of a car. A few feet away, Jasmine, Zoe, and Brock are taking in the view and sipping wine coolers. Whatever roll you get is wonderful.

Natalie clicks on Ava's Instagram page and pauses on a photo of Ava and Kenzie making goofy faces. Natalie turns her camera on selfie mode and takes a goofy face pick. Cute selfie. Natalie quickly hides the pick and swings around to see Grace and standing behind her. What are you doing here? We invited him. Get off your phone, Nat. You're getting the role. Interior, rehearsal studio, evening.

Mr. Constantine, Miss Miyako, and Miss Lana sit in the middle of the floor with audition paperwork laid out everywhere. Ava timidly walks into the room interrupting the teachers. Mr. Constantine? I did work-study hours for Mrs. Brewer, and I was wondering if I could help with anything and collect some hours? Eva, we can't let you in on this end of the process. Oh, of course. Sorry. Ava starts to turn away. Miss Ross, I could use your help for something. Interior Mr. Constantine's office, evening,

Ava opens a box in a dusky office stacked with boxes. Books go in the bookshelf. You can leave everything else alone. Ava notices the snow globe on Mr. Constantine's desk. She picks it up, running her finger over the inscription. Dare to wish Feel Magic's kiss? Beautiful, isn't it?

It's very old. Must be handled very delicately. Ava sets it down. Mr. Constantine turns to leave. Do I actually have a chance at getting the part? You have the same chance as Miss Primavera. But she's Natalie Primavera. She's a girl trained her best, just like you, Miss Ross.

Exterior pedestrian overpass night Natalie refreshes her email again You ever heard a watched pot never boiled You ever been kicked in the balls by a ballerina Oh my god Oh my god, it's in! It's in! On Natalie's phone, an email pops up from Wilburn High School Dance Department

With the subject line, Nutcracker Audition Results Interior Mr. Constantine's office night Ava is slotting books onto the bookshelf When her phone buzzes, Nutcracker audition results. Ava sits down with a deep breath. She presses the link. Exterior pedestrian overpass night. Roll.

Sugar plum fairy. Natalie exhales with a huge smile. Interior, Mr. Constantine's office night. Ava slams her phone down in disappointment. Her email open to Roll, understudy to Sugar Plum Ferry. Ava brushes away a tear. Exterior pedestrian overpass night. Natalie's phone.

Video live stream with Natalie, Zoe, Brock, and Jasmine, Grayson filming. Hey guys, it's Natalie Primavera. My best friends and I were just enjoying our last summer night out before senior year starts. And voila! We got our audition results for our final nutpacker. Interior Mr. Constantine's office night. Ava is watching Natalie's live stream as Mr. Constantine walks in.

She quickly sets her phone down. We're heading home. You danced well, Miss Ross. Not well enough. An understudy is an invaluable position and only given to someone we can trust with the role. I just really wanted that role. So did Miss Primavera.

But she always gets the role. She gets everything. Everything always breaks her way. and I just wish I could be like her. You ever think that Miss Primavera wishes she could be like you? No. Why would anyone wish to be me? That's stupid.

A faint green light seems to twinkle from inside the snow globe sitting on Mr. Constantine's desk. He notices. See at rehearsal tomorrow, Miss Ross. Get some rest. Mr. Constantine exits. Ava picks up the snow globe and cranks the knob.

The pot-a-d-d-d-d variation plays from the globe. On Ava's phone, Natalie's live stream plays in the background. I'm at my bay. And Brock here is the Russian soloist, and I'm the sugar plum fair. Wait to share this journey with all of you from now until opening night. Here's to one million followers before our first rehearsal tomorrow. Royal ballet, I'm looking at you.

Exterior pedestrian overpass night. Natalie is mid-Ponchet arabesque pose, the full moon behind her making her a beautiful silhouette. Brock snaps a photo. Natalie lets go of the pose and grabs the phone and frowns. What do you think of this? I love it. Your lines are perfection.

No, but like, what does it make you feel? Silence. Natalie steps back and examines the scene. Natalie climbs on top of the cement railing of the overpass. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey, is that, like, safe? It's perfectly safe if you have solid technique. A million people are going to see this photo,

and all I want is that when I dance, I want people to feel... Worried? No! Magic. Natalie looks up at the stars above her. Takes a moment before stretching into the pose again, and her foot wobbles slightly underneath her.

Interior, Mr. Constantine's office night. Ava's on Natalie's Instagram page, scrolling past smile after smile, roll after roll. Ava looks from her phone to the snow globe. She runs her finger over the inscription. Dare to wish. Feel magic's kiss. Seems to glisten.

She shakes the globe so the snow within swirls, sparkling green. Exterior pedestrian overpassed night. Natalie is mid-pose. Got it. Natalie's foot slips, and she falls over the edge, Shouts and screams come from her friends. Interior Mr. Constantine's office night, Ava shuts her eyes and takes a deep breath.

I wish I was Natalie Prima Vera. The snow globe engulfs in black fog in a flash and a green blinding glow illuminates the entire office. Ava gasps as her spirit. A translucent essence of her puffs off her body. Exterior pedestrian overpassed night. Natalie is falling in slow motion, screaming as Ava's spirit zooms toward her from the night sky.

The ground approaches closer and closer. Natalie squeezes her eyes as her spirit exits her body, just as Avis enters it. Blackout upon hitting the ground. Interior Mr. Constantine's office day. P.O.V. shot. Blurry at first. Sunlight through the window, the glowing green snow globe on its side with the inscription,

dare to wish, feel magic's kiss coming into focus. What the... Where am I? A phone lies on the desk. Open to Natalie's Instagram page. The shot of her doing a ponchet arabesque on the bridge. A phenomenal photograph. Note, Ava's body is now inhabited by Natalie and vice versa.

Henceforth, Ava and Natalie. will be referred to as their soul brain name rather than their body name. Natalie stands, hand on her head, and dazed. The door handle jiggles and Natalie tucks under Mr. Constantine's desk right before the door opens. Mr. Constantine walks in. Natalie sees his feet planted in front of his desk, picking up the snow globe.

Ah. And so we'll go again. Mr. Constantine sets the globe back down and exits. and exits. Interior rehearsal studio day. Natalie walks out of the office and into the rehearsal room catching her reflection. Natalie halts. Rushes back in front of the mirror face to face

with Ava's body. Natalie walks closer and closer to the mirror, mouth agape as she touches her face, her hair breathing heavier. Miss Ross, is everything okay? Mr. Constantine is at the corner of the room. No, no, this is impossible. Natalie looks back at the mirror.

It may seem impossible to fill Miss Primavera's shoes due to her accident, but I think you'll find it in you. An accident! The bell rings. The hallway floods with students and Natalie turns back, but Mr. Constantine has vanished. What? Interior School hallway day.

Natalie stumbles into the hallway filled with students of all different art disciplines. drama, art, music, dance. Back-to-school artwork decorates the hallway. Natalie spots Zoe, Brock, and Jasmine walking together. Jasmine, Zoe, Brock! They continue walking. Natalie runs to catch up to them, reaching for Zoe. Do you mind?

I need your help. I'm seriously freaking out here. Jasmine flashes Natalie a sympathetic smile. Oh. Hey, it's okay. I'd be panicking, too, if I were in your shoes. Natalie throws her arms around Jasmine in a tight hug.

Jasmine shoots Zoe and Brock a W-2F look. Listen, I'm Natalie, but I'm... I know. We're gonna fix it. You know how to fix this? We'll go to Mr. Constantine and let him know that we're switching roles. I can be the sugar plum fairy,

and you can just... No, no, no, no. I'm the sugar plum fairy. Look, nobody expected what happened to Natalie to happen. I don't know. I honestly saw it coming. The accident? Okay, what happened? Don't play.

Jasmine leans in toward Natalie. Listen, your palin's challenged and as flexible as a petrified fossil. The Sugar Plum Fairy needs to go to someone actually capable of dancing the role. Someone like me. Natalie stumbles back away from her friends and into... Trevor, 17. A gaunt, undeniably nerdy kid with a viola case. He plants a kiss on Natalie's lips.

Natalie slaps him hard. Hey! Ow! Sorry, I don't know how to congratulate you and it's because of something so terrible. Natalie's breathing becomes irregular. Her vision blurry and sound muffled. An exit sign illuminates down the hall.

Natalie makes a beeline for it. Cool, cool. We'll talk later. Kenzie pops in in front of Natalie. Eva, are you okay? I just turned. Oh my God. I'm dead.

An overhead screen starts playing the abrasive song for morning announcements, and we see Principal Waters 50s. Welcome by the students. I regret to start the first morning announcement of the school year with some unfortunate news about our very own Natalie Primavera. Oh shit. I'm actually dead. The Wilburn Arts senior fell 15 feet. last night and is currently at St. John's Hospital.

Our family asks for privacy, and we're all looking forward to welcoming Natalie back when she recovers. Go wolves. I know, it's a lot, but you've got this. You're Jody from center stage, starting from bad feet underdog to badass dancer. This is a great photo, though. Kenzie holds her phone showing the moon photo on Natalie's Instagram page. Oh, thank you.

St. John Hospital. Kenzie looks at her, confused. I got to go. What about chemistry? Natalie rushes out of the hallway and into... Interior Hospital Hallway Day. Natalie walks hastily and makes a turn. The sign, intensive care unit looms overhead

and she stops before the locked double doors waiting. Then, an elderly couple exits, and Natalie slips through. Interior ICU Nurse Station ICU room 202 day The chart in the door says Primavera Natalie

The curtain is drawn in the room With just a leg and a cast in view Natalie reaches to pull back the curtain When Nurse Sandy 30s pops in front of her Family only Step out please Natalie backs out of the room

Hurted away by Nurse Sandy Mr. Primavera 50s walks up in a wrinkled suit Bloodshot eyes carrying a small coffee cup and spots Natalie. Dad! Natalie's dad! I need to talk to her.

Natalie. She's still asleep. Is she going to be okay? Yeah. Yeah. Awesome. Are you drinking vending machine coffee? Guilty. Don't come closer.

My breath will knock you out. There's a coffee lover's down the block. Want me to get you one? Mr. Primavera studies. Natalie. You're one of Natalie's friends? Yeah, it's really important that I talk to her. Trust me. Okay. Yeah, we might be ready for visitors in a few days. A few days? Okay. Mr. Primavera raises his coffee cup as a buy and exits into the room. Natalie follows Nurse Sandy to the nurse's station. How long is that cast going to be on her, like, is it a clean break?

I can't answer any of your questions. It's a law called HIPAA. So how long does it take for a broken leg to heal then, like generally? Six to eight weeks. And have you noticed anything weird with her, like, with her head or something? Hypothetically, if the spirit of Natalie isn't someone else, then logically that someone else's spirit is in Natalie, right? Well, hypothetically, we think in terms of medicine here, like facts. What you're talking about is more like magic.

Like bullshit. Interior Elevator Day. Natalie pats her jeans and pulls out a work study form signed by Mr. Constantine and Ava's phone. The screen has a crack in a picture of Ava with Trevor kissing her cheek. Ugh, gross. Natalie goes to Ava's Instagram page, 86 followers. She clicks on a pick of Ava and Kenzie captured,

Audition Day. Natalie goes to her own Instagram page and sees that she now has 1.6 million followers. Oh my gosh. Natalie clicks on the moon photo and scrolls through comment after comment of well wishes. One comment makes her pause. Royal ballet. Fast recovery, Natalie. We look forward to your audition here.

Natalie's eyes widen and she presses the phone against her heart like a love letter. She sees her reflection in the elevator doors. Ava's face staring back at her. Interior School Hallway Day. Natalie rushes down the hall to Ava's locker and struggles with the lock spinning and guessing random digits. After several failed attempts, Natalie pulls on the lock and lets out a frustrated scream.

Miss Ross, did you lose something? Natalie sees Miss Miyako stepping toward her cautiously. My body. Well, that sounds like a conversation for your therapist. You're late for rehearsal. This is a really bad first impression you're making. Kind of going through a life crisis here, okay? Hey, show a little compassion, hmm?

I think maybe Natalie is having a worse day than you today. I vouched for you. So let's go. You vouched for Ava? Why? Don't make me regret it. Interior rehearsal studio day. Natalie enters the studio, already full of dancers lining the walls,

stretching, taking selfies, putting on point shoes. In the middle of the studio, Zoe dances the Clara solo, with Kenzie dancing simultaneously in the back, a place designated for the understudy. Fritz, a nine-year-old Romanian boy grabs the imaginary doll from Zoe and smashes it to the ground. Zoe and Kenzie put on their best surprise faces. Awful. Father, we need to do it again.

Fritz, be nice. That's your son, and his name is Fritz? I have many children, but this is the one I prefer most. Blazes! Fritz joins the other party children, but they all move away from him. He eyes them and takes one step closer, and they all take one step away. Don't mind them, Fritz. They will all be dead one day. The children look at him.

dumbfounded. Oh, my apologies. I meant to say that in Romanian. Again. Bean Ross, 8. A precocious punk and a leotard and skirt grabs Natalie on the arm. Ow! Do you mind? Where were you last night? Mom is freaking out, and you're so grounded. Natalie dodges Bean. Bean crosses her arm, shaking her head. You have ten minutes, Miss Ross. Natalie spots her former friends. Jazz. Miss Ross. Natalie spots her former friends, Jasmine, Zoe, and Brock, and starts to head toward them when... Eva! Hey! Over here! Kenzie enthusiastically waved standing in the corner with Theo 18, slightly portly male dancer, wearing a rainbow bandana. Natalie reluctantly makes her way over.

Hey, Kenzie and Theo, right? Um, what were we up to last night? Ouija boards, weird witchy spells. I thought you were doing work study for Mr. Constantine last night. Miss Miyako tosses her hands up to say, What's the hold-up? Interior locker room day. Natalie is dressed in Ava's dance clothes. Her tights have runs and her wrap skirt is a wrinkled mess.

Natalie pulls out Ava's point shoes. They look disgusting. Interior, rehearsal studio day. The pianist is playing the Paudet as Natalie and Grace and Dance. After the second rotation in Natalie's pirouette, Her ankle wobbles and she stumbles out of the turn. Keep going. Grayson and Natalie continue.

Natalie struggles with every extension, lift, and turn. Grayson supports her, eyeing her with concern. Finally, Natalie's ankle gives out again, and she lands flat on her bottom. Dancer sitting along the wall giggle. You danced this beautifully at the addition yesterday. Sure. If having a weak core and no flexibility is beautiful. And who approved point shoes for these ankles?

Not to mention these shoes are dead. Somebody learned to be a diva pretty fast. In my office, Miss Russ. Interior, Mr. Constantine's office day. Natalie follows Mr. Constantine into the office and leans against his desk with the glowing globe sitting on the edge. I know you're upset, but sometimes things happen for a reason. What things?

Do you know what's happened with me? Last night you were sitting there upset to be cast as the understudy, wishing you could be Natalie Primavera. And here you are. Here who is. The sugar plum fairy, Miss Ross. That's it. I need to find some crystals to touch or a well to throw some cash in because nobody has any answers for me, especially you. And why would they? It's literally psychotic. I've got completely insane. Natalie throws her hands in the air, swiping the globe, making it fly.

Mr. Constantine dives for it and catches it before it can hit the ground. You have to be more careful, Miss Pramevera. I knew it. Nice gaslighting, by the way. Fix it. Fix it right now. It takes two to Padre d'U. What?

Last night, Ava wished to be you and you wish to be... I would never! I wasn't even here. The magic transcends space, Miss Primavera. I don't know how, but I do know to change places it would have taken both of you. Was there in no moment last night when you... I'm telling you, I would never wish to be Ava. Okay. Wish to go back.

Mr. Constantine hands Natalie the snow globe and exits. Left alone in the office, she studies the globe. Dare to wish, feel magic's kiss. Okay, I wish that I was... Suddenly, Natalie hears commotion and opens her eyes and sees Mrs. Premaviris. in the studio. Mom?

Interior, rehearsal studio, continuous. Mrs. Primavera looks as though she's been crying, but has a smile on her face. Everyone huddles around her, and Jasmine gives her a large hug. I just wanted to stop by and give you all an update on Natalie. She hasn't woken up yet,

but they're done with the testing, and she's going to be okay. Dancers exhale with relief. Jasmine and Zoe hug each other. Natalie steps out into the studio. But the specialist told us that she shattered her right hip and she won't be able to dance again. Natalie's face falls.

Mrs. Primavera continues talking, but it's muffled. Everything around Natalie turns white. Natalie snaps out of it. Sight and sound are back to normal. Dancers murmuring and comforting Mrs. Primavera. Natalie looks at the snow globe in her hand and races out of the studio, unnoticed by all but Mr. Constantine. Interior school hallway continuous.

Mr. Constantine exits the studio and follows Natalie storming down the hall with the snow globe in her hand. I wish my body was healed and I was back in it. The snow globe continues glowing, unchanged. This isn't a lamp or monkey paw. You can't go back in time. Natalie notices Mr. Constantine behind her. But I'm the sugarflop. Ferry. Natalie stares at the globe with dismay.

Eva is the sugar plum fairy. You're in a hospital bed. There's an opportunity to learn from Ava, and when you wake up... What opportunity! Wait, to fulfill my destiny as the sugar plum fairy? Um... Well, the show is three months away. I should warn you, there are consequences in staying in too long. The magic becomes unstable.

One more time, just for... Blah. Um... Well... Um, well, the show is in three months. What the... It's in three months, okay? Um, well, the show is three months away. I should warn you, there are consequences in staying in too long. The magic becomes unstable. The lights flicker on and off. Natalie notices concerned momentarily before looking back at the snow globe.

As soon as Eva wakes up, I'll switch back. get this body sugar plum ready, I can recover from a broken hip. Natalie lingers on the glowing globe for a moment before handing it back to Mr. Constantine. He takes it cautiously. Miss Primavera, be careful. Mr. Constantine, I've survived high school. I got this. Interior artistic dancewear day.

A pile of point shoes, rehearsal tutu, and dance attire land on the cashier's counter. Ava's phone lights up. Mom calling. Natalie swipes to ignore. Whoa. You get robbed or something. Sorry. Something like that.

That'll be $1,416. And 25 cents. Yikes. Guess it's the beginning of the season, right? Right. Natalie rummages through Ava's bag and pulls out a credit card from her wallet, handing it to the cashier with a smile. Exterior. Primavera McMansion Day. Natalie stands outside of her beautiful house, the Uber driving away, and her pastel car parked out in front.

Natalie turns the doorknob, but doesn't push it open. Instead, she carefully releases the knob and knocks. A moment later, Mrs. Primavera answers the door. hair in a messy bun and a measuring tape in her hands. Hi, can I help you? Oh, I thought you'd be at the hospital. Are you one of Natalie's friends? Yes, I'm the understudy. I mean, Ava, you're not the understudy anymore.

Come in, come in. Interior, primavera, McMansion Day. A labradoodle, cliche, runs up to greet Natalie. Hi, how are you, girl? Natalie kneels and lets the dog tackle and slobber all over her. This is Primavera smiles. Have you been here before? Uh, once.

You weren't here. And animals love me. Animals love Natalie, too. I am sorry. My head is in a million places. Why are you here again? Oh, I wanted to decorate Natalie's hospital room with some of her things, so she feels at home when she wakes up. Wow, that is so sweet.

I didn't know that you and Matt were so close. Natalie swallows and nods. Natalie's bedroom, continuous. Natalie walks into her bedroom. It's like out of a magazine. King-sized bed in the middle of the room, vanity mirror with a vast makeup collection displayed, a ballet bar installed with a large hanging mirror.

Natalie runs her hand over the bar, her makeup, and plops down on her bed. Cliche jumps on her lap to paddle. Natalie spots a framed photo collage titled Nutcracker. A photo of young Natalie captioned Baby Mouse age five, followed by portraits of her as all the other nutcracker rolls with a single empty frame labeled Sugar Plum Fairy. Natalie pulls a duffel bag out of the closet, a Royal Ballet keychain hooked to the zipper and collects a stuffed animal, a sweatshirt, a family photo. Natalie opens a drawer and sees a packet labeled Royal Ballet Audition Packet. Natalie shoves the packet into Ava's bag, along with a few makeup pieces.

Mrs. Primavera's office day, Natalie creeps to the doorway, and her mother is busy at her sewing machine putting together tutus. You're costuming the show? I costume it every year. I thought with Natalie out... It's what Nat would want. Natalie frowns, watching her mom momentarily before exiting. Exterior, apartment building, dusk.

Natalie climbs out of an Uber, looks at an apartment complex. Hi, I'm Ava Ross. And I'm poor. Interior, Ava's living room night. Natalie enters cautiously. Um, hello? Ms. Ross, 50s, emerges near running. She sees Natalie and gives her a large hug.

Where the hell have you been? Did you hear I'm the sugar plum berry? I know. What horrible news. I can't have. Imagine what her mother is going through. What's all this? Just some stuff for the roll? Why didn't you call?

Oh, it broke. Natalie shows Ms. Ross the cracked screen. You can't stay out without my explicit permission. You hear? Were you with Trevor? I know I said I was okay with you too having sex, but I'm not... You, you, you! Stop! I fell asleep at school.

Can we talk tomorrow? I just... I need to be alone to process right now. Just like... Natalie rushes down the hall. Ava's bedroom night. There are two beds in the room, one with a cartoon character comforter

and the other with a plain purple comforter. Natalie sits on the bed with the purple comforter. A Harvard University flag hangs over the bed. Pull yourself together, Natalie. Get in character. Who is Ava Ross? Natalie pulls out Ava's phone and opens up Ava's Instagram page.

It has about a lot. 10 posts, one with Eva and Trevor licking ice cream from the same cone. Okay, I have horrible taste in guys. And a mom that's way too involved in all of that. The Harvard flag catches her eye. I want to go to Harvard?

Weird. And I'm poor. And share a room with the little kid. Natalie spots a pink diary sitting on the floor. Of course! All losers have diaries. Natalie picks up the diary and begins reading.

It's in kids' handwriting. Found condom wrapper in Ava's drawer. Mom texted Dad yesterday, We Need to Talk. What are you doing? Natalie looks up to see Bean standing at the door. You, baby mouse, right? Yeah, so? I didn't want to be a party girl anyway. You're too sloppy for a party girl.

Bean takes her pink diary back. Rude. I'm going to find out what's up with you. Okay, Nancy Drew. Get out. Natalie shoves Bean out of the room and shuts the door. Bean bangs on the other side of the door. Natalie looks at herself in the mirror. Ava's reflection and takes a deep breath.

Let's get your ass in shape. End of episode one.