Plot

Nora, the trusted personal assistant to the director of a play, attempts to wrangle the director and his troupe of colorful actors as they audition themselves to play the lead as he lies dead on the stage after dying mid-monologue.

In the lead-up to the premiere of "The Death of the King," a Shakespearean-inspired play in a humble theatre, chaos ensues. Vincent Wells, the arrogant lead actor, collapses dead during rehearsal, prompting selfish director Julian to desperately seek a replacement. Bradley, the play's bumbling Knight, steps up and shamelessly, and awkwardly, auditions himself. This prompts Rose, an older and oft-overlooked actress, to likewise audition herself. Amidst the theatrical turmoil, Claude, an awkward young actor, attempts his moment but is ignored; meanwhile, Richard, the play's misanthropic Priest, looks on with glib amusement. When the chaos gets out of hand as the trio wrestle over Vincent's body, Nora, Julian's diligent assistant, finally snaps and delivers a scathing monologue about the troupe's grotesque and unabashed selfishness. To everyone's surprise, Julian, ever the dubious maestro, names Nora the new Queen. Disillusioned, Nora departs, realizing the theatre world isn't worth sacrificing her sanity. This short is both humorous and poignant in its exploration of selfish ambition and chaos in the world of theatre.—Epiha Inglis