It’s a tale as old as time, and it’s time for your child to take the stage. West Virginia University’s Community Theatre Program is currently registering kids ages 6-14 for classes and rehearsals for its annual production—”Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr.”

The show is based on the award-winning Broadway version of the classic Disney animated film, with music by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, as well as new songs by Menken and Tim Rice.

Registration will be held in the main lobby of the Creative Arts Center on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 4:30 p.m. and classes and rehearsals will be held Sept. 14 through Feb. 21 at the Creative Arts Center.

No prior experience is necessary to participate, and kids will meet once a week on Sundays, through February, culminating in a full week of rehearsals for two public performances to be held on Feb. 20 and 21 in the Creative Arts Center’s Antoinette Falbo Theatre.

From fun supporting roles such as Lumiere and Cogsworth, to expanded roles such as villagers, dancing flatware and narrators, every participant will have a truly rewarding time bringing this delightful classic to the stage.

Joann Siegrist, professor of Puppetry and Creative Drama, oversees the WVU Community Theatre program, and with the success of last year’s Disney’s “The Aristocats” she is ready to continue with another exciting Disney show.

The director of this year’s show is Amber Wright, who is currently seeking her Bachelor of Arts degree in theater. Wright has been involved in theater for more than 10 years. Her credits include assistant director for “The Wizard of Oz” and director for Disney’s “The Aristocats.”

Along with her experience with children and theater, she has more than seven years of dance training.

“I am excited to end my senior year working with such an awesome and talented group of kids on this year’s production,” said Wright. “It’s such an amazing thing to see our students come together, meet new friends, and grow as performers during the months we spend working on the shows.”

The final dress rehearsal for Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast, Jr.” is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19, and the two performances will be held Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20 and 21.

Tuition is $350 per child, and $300 per child for two or more children from the same family.

For more information on the WVU Community Theatre production of “Beauty and the Beast, Jr.,” please visit theatre.wvu.edu, call 304-293-2020, or email theatre@mail.wvu.edu.

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-WVU-

CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

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