“Curtain Call” by Julie Meier—Our June 2026 Bronze Medal Winner
Julie is our third place winner from the contest posted in our June 2026 issue!
What the judges had to say:
“I always enjoy stories told from unique, unexpected perspectives that come with a side of whimsy, and this ... was another of these unique POVs that made this story stand out.”
“A sentimental piece with a pleasant ending.”
Meet Julie
Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Julie Meier holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Calgary. Her writing has been published internationally in anthologies, print and on-line journals including Blank Spaces magazine, shortédition, and Syncopation Literary Journal.
She still does cartwheels every time she sees one of her stories in print.
Curtain Call
the unedited story by Julie Meier
The new custodian is hell bent on throwing out the stage curtains. He has gone so far as to put in a request with management, complete with measurements and ordering instructions.
He’s proposing they switch to green curtains.
Green!
Can you imagine it? The theatre’s curtains have always been sky blue.
Luckily, Angelica knows there is no budget for new curtains. Which is a relief, because the current drapes are like old friends, comforting and worn in all the right places.
Luke, the new custodian, mutters to himself as he sweeps the stage.
“At the very least, the curtains must be laundered,” he says emphatically.
He goes on, muttering under his breath about how he has no idea how one goes about laundering something so massive.
He launches into a soliloquy while sweeping the stage, jabbing the broom around for effect.
“Them curtains are the dustiest, mustiest, most mothbitten relics I’ve ever laid eyes on”
Angelica pictures him wearing a ten-gallon hat and spurs as he talks, clattering bow-legged across the open plains instead of across the stage while he gesticulates with a broom.
She snorts a little as she continues to picture this small, potbellied man as a burly cowboy on his trusty steed.
Theatrics aside, those are fighting words. According to Angelica, who cannot think of a more offensive slur than to call a beloved part of Cloverdale Community Theatre history “dusty, musty and mothbitten”, it’s the biggest insult an individual could bestow upon a set of curtains.
Angelica has lived a lifetime between the folds of those heavy drapes.
She has intoned along with Lady Macbeth “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”
.She’s used them to dab away tears as Mathew Cuthbert took his final breath.
She’s flown with Peter Pan, literally flown with him, above Neverland and an enthralled audience
And, she’s sang about how “Popular” she was going to be once she, and Elphaba, learn that“it’s not about aptitude, it’s the way you’re viewed.”
But, Angelica has to admit that, just like the curtains, she will only ever be viewed as “dusty and musty” and, if she’s being honest, most of the holes in the curtains were her doing.
When she was just a young pupa, wings wrapped into her delicate cocoon, she dreamed of having her name on the theatre marquise - “Now Starring: Angelica!”
Being born into the theatre, or emerging into the theatre as it were (how regal!), means it’s in your blood. You long for the warmth of the lights, the gasp of the audience, and you bask in their applause.
Ah, the applause.
How many times has she hidden behind those curtains and imagined the applause were for her? A young theatre moth dreams of moments like those.The janitor sneezes as he swipes at the curtains with his broom, a plume of dust erupting as he moseys off stage-left.
A rambunctious group of youth filter into the theatre the next afternoon. It’s dress rehearsal night for the production of “Charlotte’s Web” - one of Angelica’s favourite stories, for obvious reasons, as it portrays a strong, brave insect heroine.
The actress playing Avery is a tiny freckled child with a voice like a mouse and a memory like a sieve. She’s constantly forgetting her lines, and Angelica has taken to whispering them along with her, coaxing her as best she can.
The beloved blue curtains are still hanging on opening night, having been properly pummeled by Luke earlier in the day. Though some of the dust has been rearranged, thankfully Angelica’s peep holes remain. She is hiding in the folds as the lights dim and Avery stands in the wings.
“Chin up,” Angelica coaches. “Deep breath and then off you go, dear. ‘Break a leg’ as we say in the biz.”
Avery nods as if she’s heard, and Angelica leaves her with one last “And remember to be loud!”
The child makes Angelica proud, only forgetting her lines once and, as the closing notes of the final song fade, and Charlotte’s hatchlings call their last “Goodbye! Goodbye!” the curtain drops.
Angelica doesn’t notice that she is on the wrong side of the curtain and, in her excitement over a glorious opening night she begins spiralling upwards, ascending towards the brilliant lights when she hears it.
“Some moth!!” a small but mighty voice declares from the folds of the curtain.
The audience laughs and cheers as Angelica continues to climb, and this time the applause are for her.
Caught in the spotlight, Angelica is bathed in glory, the lights projecting her image onto sky blue curtains. A moth of large and regal proportions.
She hovers and takes a bow.
Some moth, indeed!
If you were in the audience that night, and knew just where to look, you would have seen the hazel eye of a very small, brave girl peeping through a moth-size hole in the dusty, musty stage curtain.
Watching a majestic friend spread her wings and fly.
Use the comment form below to let Julie know what you thought of her story.
