An Inside Look At Beauty and the Beast Auditions
The 2022 Beauty and the Beast cast list.
January 27, 2022
An Inside Look At Beauty and the Beast Auditions
By: Julia Rhodes, Digital Managerial Editor
This year the production presented by the theater department will be Beauty and the Beast. Rehearsals began on Wednesday, January 19 and will continue until closing night of the show. The production will take place on Thursday, May 12 for the incoming freshman and then Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14 for the general public.
The audition process began with an informational meeting on Monday, January 10 in the theatre at 3:30 pm. At this meeting students were given instructions on the audition process.
The first auditions then took place on Wednesday, January 12 at 3:30-5:30 pm in the theatre.
Junior Natalie McAtee was in attendance at the meeting and has participated in St. Joe theater for many years.
“This meeting is really important if anyone is thinking about auditioning for anything for SJA in the future. It shows the level of commitment and can help you make an informed decision,” Natalie said.
There were two different options for the singing portion of the audition. The first option was to choose 1 verse ( or 32 measures) of any Disney song to memorize and sing with an audition track to sing with or the sheet music for the pianist to accompany the singer. The second option was to sing one of three songs from the show: “Home,” “Be Our Guest,” or “Beauty & the Beast.” There were both vocal and accompaniment tracks on Canvas for students to utilize. The Canvas course created for Beauty and the Beast had all the tracks, sheet music, etc. needed for the audition.
After open call auditions, some students were then asked to attend callbacks on Wednesday, January 13 at 3:30-5:30 pm. From there, the directors in charge of casting had a tough decision to make. The acting, music, and dance directors this year are Mrs. Albes, Mr. Kowalczyk, and Ms. Tipton.
Many people are very excited for the return of the mainstream musical at St. Joe, even those not directly involved in the theater department at the school.
Senior Sydney Dolan has enjoyed St. Joe theater both before, and after COVID.
“I can’t wait to see the show. The last one I saw was Chicago in October of 2020. I miss it!” Sydney said.
The cast list includes: Sophie Middendorf as Belle, Peter Murphy as the Prince/Beast, Thomas Smith as Gaston, Joe Guzon as Lefou, Mr. John Vullo as Maurice, Kathryn Portman as Monsieur D’ Arque and the Narrator, Ava Niedbalski as Cogswrth, Makayla Plunkett as Lumiere, Caitlyn Avery as Babette, Erin Voigt as Mrs. Potts, Mackenzie Golomski as Chip, Molly Thompson as Madame De La Grande Bouche and Opera Singer, and Julia von der Lancken as the Old Begger Woman. The towns people and servants include Jenna Akins, Kathleen Dolan, Eliza Drayton, Mackenzie Golomski, Abby Latsch, Sahiti Mumgandi, Kathryn Portman, Julia von der Lancken, and Nora Weishaar. And last but not least, the dance III students include Madeline Bookout, Olivia Brinegar, Carter Eiseman, Anna Emmeneger, Ella Growe, Isabella Hartman, Caroline Joyce, Ava Molli, Emily Morrow, Kiran Rudd, Lillian Sadlo, Elise Wagner, Izzy Winfield.
It is safe to say that live theater is being welcomed back into St. Joe with welcome arms post-pandemic, and many are very excited.
