The theater department will performing the play  “Beauty and the Beast, Jr.” at the Performing Art Center this week. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday for $5 at the box office.

“This play is so much fun and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is probably my favorite Disney princess movie of all time,” freshman Audrey Yang said. “It’s so cool to be a part of it.”

The cast have been practicing since the beginning of September and will start full dress rehearsals this week.

“I’ve watched the movies, written down my blocking, [and] practiced my singing,” senior Jonathan Kinsel said. “I’ve even worked out more just to feel more like my character.”

The play consists of 13 scenes and only one act. Currently the show will be around an hour long and is a musical. 

“A difficulty I have faced with this role is that the main song I sing, “Home”, is a very vulnerable song,” junior Ashlynn Blankenship said. “Having to portray Belle in such a fragile way can be difficult because you hope it translates well with the audience.”

Tech classes have helped build sets and assistant choir director, Hannah Sherman, has come in to help with singing in the play.

“Our stagehands and technicians are so often forgotten and under-appreciated,” junior Landen Gill said. “They go the extra mile and work so diligently through their ever-changing directions.”

There is a cast and crew of about over 50. The cast has had eight weeks to rehearse and continues their final week this week. 

“It’s always been one of my dreams to be on stage and acting,” Yang said. “It’s been so fun working with the upperclassmen and other actors and actresses, as well as the technicians, throughout this whole show.”