1) Why does Miranda back out of her performance at the last minute?

Miranda joins the theater elective primarily because she sees Via's name on the list; she then lies to the director, Mr. Davenport, and says that the school cannot perform The Elephant Man because she has a little brother with a birth defect. Her family, supposedly, would take issue with this play. After Mr. Davenport switches to Our Town, Miranda auditions for the role of Emily because Via is also trying out for it, not knowing that she would win out over her former friend.