Most kids leave school as the final bell rings. They go home, work on homework, hang out with their friends, and watch tv. But not the thespians. They immediately make their way to the cafeteria and prepare for Beauty and the Beast musical rehearsals, every Monday and Thursday. They’re working hard on those days to make the musical the best it can be, with the help of the theatre teacher Mrs. Brown and the choir director Mr. Carbone.

As the final bell rings, the actors and actresses gather on the stage in the cafeteria, rehearsing lines and practicing the songs. The directors of the show are busy measuring students, taking role, and setting up their computers.

“We’ve been practicing since the third or fourth week of school. Tryouts were the second week of school,” said Kailyn Bouche (12).

Since then, the actor have been memorizing their lines and getting to know their characters.

“At first I felt a lot of stress, since I’ve never acted before. This is my first musical to be in, and it’s nerve-wracking because it’s my first time and I have the lead role, but as rehearsals have gone on it’s gotten a lot better,” said Anna Traylor (12). The lead role of Belle is being played by Anna.

While Belle is the main character, the play wouldn’t be complete without the other characters, such as Madame de La Grande Bouche.

“I like my part in the play. I love my character. She fits me pretty well. Her last name is Bouche and my last name is Bouche, so it just works. She’s like me in a parallel universe,” said Kailyn Bouche (12). Kailyn will be playing the part of Madame de La Grande Bouche, who is the wardrobe furniture in the play.

When watching a play or musical, it’s easy for the audience to forget what all goes into creating this entertainment. The actors and actresses of Beauty and the Beast are starting to see this themselves.

“While we get our scripts in front of us for now, we’re supposed to have our lines memorized by October 20th. But as we keep practicing, it’s getting a little easier to memorize them,” said Anna Traylor (12).

As for others, they face different tasks, whether it be learning the music or the choreography.

“The hardest part for me is the choreography,” said Kailyn Bouche (12). “I’m the biggest character on stage, so my dancing is a lot slower. I also have wheels. The singing comes naturally to me since I’m in choir.”

While there’s a few months before the play will be put on, there’s still a lot of work to be done, but the thespians make it as fun a possible while working hard. Working hard for some meant overcoming fears.

“I couldn’t have been afraid,” said Kailyn Bouche (12). “I had to just get up there and act. I was afraid to do that at first, but after I did it I felt much more confident.”