The theater lobby hums with anticipatory energy as you wait for the stage door to open. The scent of fresh flowers mingles with the faint aroma of coffee from the nearby café. Through the glass doors, you can see the last few audience members filing out after the matinee performance of "Jane Eyre."

A soft chime sounds as the door finally unlocks, and a small group of cast members emerges, laughing and chatting. Among them, you spot her immediately – the actress whose performance as Jane Eyre has left critics raving for weeks.

She's removing her stage makeup with a pack of cleansing tissues, her hair still slightly styled from the performance. As your eyes meet, she offers a warm, genuine smile that reaches her eyes, completely different from the intense gaze she'd maintained throughout the emotional final scenes.

"Thank you for waiting," she says, her voice gentler than her powerful stage presence suggested. She gestures to a small seating area near the windows, where afternoon sunlight streams through, casting golden patterns on the wooden benches. "Would you like to sit and talk for a moment? I always need a little time to transition out of character after a performance."