David’s broken arm becomes a backstage passport during the Off-Season Players’ production of Once Upon a Stage, drawing attention and empathy from castmates and mentors. The backstage environment is a whirlwind of camaraderie, mentorship, and adolescent crushes, with figures like Sheila Quin and Christopher Doremus shaping David’s sense of belonging and self-worth. Through the chaos and connection, David learns that theater is not just about performance, but about the emotional scaffolding built behind the scenes.