The cannon represents Callie’s character. She’s ambitious and imaginative, which is why she originally wanted the cannon to be a real pyrotechnic device. And when she cannot practically accomplish this, she labors fastidiously and determinedly in order to design the cannon as a confetti launcher. The cannon therefore functions as a symbol of her tireless dedication to her craft. It also symbolizes her unique, resourceful intelligence: She designs the contraption herself, from scratch, and her accomplishment helps prove to Mr. Madera and Loren that she deserves to be next year’s stage manager. Her lone instinct that the cannon would be a huge audience draw also proves correct, as it ultimately and substantially boosts ticket sales for the play.

The costume dress that Callie wears to the eighth-grade formal is a key symbol. When Callie first finds this dress in the costume vault, she falls in love with it. She even admits that such beautiful costumes provide her the only occasion to be jealous of the students who are in the spotlight during plays. We also know that Callie originally wanted to be a stage performer in musicals, but realized that she did not have the musical talent for it.