‘Beauty and the Beast’
By Bobbi Mlynar (Contact)
Originally published 01:38 p.m., February 14, 2008
Updated 01:38 p.m., February 14, 2008
About 100 theater, orchestra and stagecraft students and a few faculty members at Emporia High School and beyond are combining their talents for this year’s major production, “Beauty and the Beast.”
Performances are scheduled tonight at 7 o’clock and on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the high school theater.
A Character Lunch is planned for Saturday at the school, with the costumed cast mingling with children and adults who attend. The cost is $5 a person. Reservations should be made by calling the school, 341-2365.
Teacher and director Amanda Stice said she knew when selecting the play that she wanted something that would provide plenty of opportunities for student involvement.
“I knew we had the talent to sing it, and I wanted a show people would come to,” she said. “Anything that says ‘Disney’ is going to sell itself.”
The rest of the department of fine arts agreed, and the work began.
“I have a lot of kids who are going on to careers in fine arts,” Stice said.
All-school auditions were opened in the fall to cast 35 parts, and six-day-a-week rehearsals began on Dec. 14. With the exception of Christmas break, the rehearsals continued through this week.
Stice said she has been amazed by the dedication of the students and their willingness to put in hours of hard work regularly.
“They usually go about three hours every night, and some went all day Saturdays, learning dancing,” she said.
Former EHS student Elaine Kimble, now majoring in dance at the University of Missouri in Kansas City, came to Emporia on weekends to work with the students.
The elegant and intricate costumes for the play were rented from the Topeka Community Theater, Stice said.
“It took a whole trailer to get everything — an entire trailer full,” she said.
The costumes include a teapot, teacup, grandfather clock, candlestick, and a host of other inanimate objects that come to life during the play. The Beast character’s costume is so heavy and hot that the ice packs worn under it melt and must be changed at intermission.
“Some of the costumes are so difficult to walk in, let alone dance and sing at the same time,” Stice said, adding that one of the girls goes through five costume changes during a performance.
The production will be the first to feature new microphones and some lighting equipment purchased with a grant from the Emil Babinger Trust.
Matt Kosinski of Flint Hills Music has come in to work with the students on running the sound equipment and Christopher Shaw, vocal director at Madison High School, is accompanist for the production.
One of Stice’s former classmates, Kyle Land, is helping with the technical side of the production. He is technical director and scene shop manager at Emporia State University.
Stice said she is proud of the students and the way they have honed their performances for “Beauty and the Beast.”
The teens know that when they become involved in fine arts, the rules are rigid and they are enforced.
“The kids are not allowed to have any failing grades,” Stice said.
Several did around semester break, and they found themselves studying in Stice’s room during rehearsals, so they could make up or finish assignment. During slack times, other students came in to tutor those who were struggling.
“This is more than the kids coming in here to put on a little play,” she said. “It’s a no drugs and alcohol department. ... Not only do they know and accept that, they encourage their friends to abide by those rules.”
Stice is hoping that the community will come out to watch the musical, just as they would to watch an athletic event and support the students involved.
“There are so many talented kids at this high school that aren’t involved in athletics,” she said. “Fine arts kids, it’s hard to get people out here.”
Cast and characters
Caitlin McGuire, Belle; Logan Herrera, Beast; Aaron Wyatt, Gaston; Joel Christiansen, Lefou; Dylan Bandel, Maurice; Abby Triemer, Mrs. Potts (Teapot); Jamie Schmidt, Chip (Teacup); Ben Reilly, Cogsworth (Clock); Joel Austin, Lumiere (Candlestick); Alyssa Boesche, Babette (Feather Duster); Shuresa Kair, Madame De La Grande Bouche (Wardrobe); Adam Helmer, Monsieur Da Arque (owner of insane asylum); Delano Mendoza, Young Prince; Bekah Kvas, Chelsea Pearson and Briana Alvarado, Silly Girls.
Also, Dylan Sherwood, Hannah Watkins, Rose Naz, Madelyn Huerta, Sarah Coulson, Keith Mease, Abby Phelps, Nele Klymer, Erin East, Lindsey McDaniel, Andrew Sanchez, Sarah Roemer, Ashley Glover, Ninive De La Rosa, Brett Stinbrink, Laura Bosiljevac, Katie Potter, Hannah Stair, Bridgit Jurgens, Kristen Garcia and Samantha Daugaard, various enchanted objects and villagers.
Crew
Claudia Jaimes, stage manager; Marah Carney, shift crew manager; Kate Haberkorn, sound board operators; Shawn Mason, light board operator; Teagan and Kori Lapping, light crew; Jessie Olsen, props crew head; Caitlin Flood, costume crew head; Kiley Hadicke, make-up crew; and Lydia Roemer, Joyce Baysinger, Gerri Sprecker, Andi Spencer, Nate Weaver, Jessie Olsen, Justin McHardie and Jasmine Greene, shift crew.
Orchestra
Nathan Ferree, Andrew Herrmann, Joran Matson, Melissa Heinitz, Natalie Juarez, Suzanne Gonzalez, Jennifer Knickerbocker, Joel Bland, Ashley Sparkman and Katie Stuchlik, violins; Tim Weaver, Kelly Payton and Melinda Flohr, cello; Caitlin Hicks, bass; Kathy Mosher and LeAnn Mason, clarinet; Bre Williams, Seung Yun Shin and Theresa Smith, flute; Adam Schondelmaier and Grant Saylor-Perkins, trumpet; Tara Berland, French horn; Sarah Rice, bass clarinet; Derek Davidson, percussion; Ryan Grinter, auxiliary percussion; and Robert Haselhuhn, conductor.
Comments
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Posted by rcakmon (anonymous) on February 14, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The students put in long hours to rehearse for only three shows. It would be nice to see a full house enjoy the result of the effort put forth by the cast, crew, and orchestra. Go see the show!
Posted by rmbcollege (anonymous) on February 14, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Looking forward to seeing the show!
Posted by momoftwo (anonymous) on February 14, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My daughter's class had the opportunity to see this show Wednesday afternoon. They LOVED it! Great work kids! And a HUGE ROUND OF APPLAUSE to Amanda Stice - I hear nothing but great things about the theater department at EHS! Keep up the great work!!
Posted by emporia (anonymous) on February 14, 2008 at 7:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
RUN to go see this whether you have children or not! We, too, saw the show Wednesday afternoon. It was ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT. Wonderful job EHS and staff. Wonderfer, wonderful, wonderful!
Posted by Penny (anonymous) on February 15, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We saw the show last night and agree, it is fabulous!! Great job, everyone!
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