Published: June 25, 2009 01:25 pm         

Performing Arts Workshop features ‘Beauty and the Beast’

TERRE HAUTE — Imagine learning 19 songs, hundreds of dramatic lines and stressful dancing routines within three weeks to present a free outside musical production for your community.

That has been the task for about 100 students, teachers and staff members of the Vigo County School Corp. in the 19th Performing Arts Workshop. This year’s production features Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” on Wednesday and Thursday, starting at 6:30 each night, at the Fairbanks Park Amphitheater.

Since its inception in 1990, PAW has given budding actors, singers, musicians and artists a unique summer repertory theatrical experience. It was started by Rex Magner, former choir director at Terre Haute North Vigo High School, and has continued through a legion of dedicated music, choir and theater teachers. Past PAW productions have featured “Annie,” “The Music Man,” “Brigadoon,” and “Annie Get Your Gun.”

Rehearsals for this year’s “Beauty and the Beast” show began on June 8 — meaning no summer break after concluding the school year — and continue through opening night on Wednesday.

“Keeping a strict schedule of rehearsal and daily prop gathering is central to getting it all done,” admitted Terre Haute South Vigo High School choir director Kathy Anderson, who is directing her second PAW show.

Production coordinator Jill Brewer said, “I love the kids and theater. This is a unique way to combine both and it showcases some very talented youths in our community.” Brewer, a retired middle school orchestra director, is spending her 18th summer with PAW.

Choreographer Quincy DelColletti has returned to Terre Haute this summer from teaching in South Carolina to participate in her 15th production.

“I love what PAW provides for the kids,” she said. “They don’t get any better than theater kids. They are funny and smart, and I never have more fun than I do choreographing for students.”

Other teachers helping mentor the students in this program include orchestra conductor Wade Winston, band director at Sarah Scott Middle School; technical director Paul Ellison, choir director at Chauncey Rose Middle School; chorus director Dan Tryon; assistant technical director Tyler Hutcheson of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College; costume designer Jessica Becker and her assistant Joni Hooper.

“I love seeing the look of accomplishment on the students’ faces when they complete the show. They deserve it because they work really hard,” said Winston, who is assisting with his 15th PAW production. “Seeing the community support that this program gets is also very satisfying.”

“Beauty and the Beast” is a classic love story between Belle, a beautiful, young woman and a frightening beastly-like character who is really a charming prince that’s been cast under a mystic spell. The show features such popular songs as “Be Our Guest,” “Belle” and, of course, “Beauty and the Beast.”

Performing the role of Belle is Abby Cunning, a junior at Terre Haute North and a veteran PAW actress, while Matt Hooper is the Beast. In other parts are Jordan Allen as Gaston, Savannah Richardson as Mrs. Potts, Marcus Steiner as Maurice, Samantha Thiede as Babette, Abel Waston as Lefou, Layke Fowler as Chip, Cole Bennett as Cogsworth, Cecilia Gray as Madame Bouche, Jesse Outlaw as Madame D’Arque, Vincent Butler as Prince and Kaylie Gambill as Sorceress. Playing the Silly Girls will be Keia Friend, Samantha Ivaturi, Catherine Rink, Kate Shaw and Megan Outcalt.

“PAW gives me a chance to do something that I love [acting and singing] outside of school,” Cunning said. “No other shows that I have been in have had the same feel that PAW creates for the people involved. It’s challenging but when we all work, we end up pulling through — together.”

The chorus includes Karis Anderson, Caitlin Barnaby, Elizabeth Beddow, Calli Beighley, Mercedez Bray, Ellie Brown, Susan Brown, Kendra Carpenter, Kassie Chalos, Skyler Cottrell, Catherine Duree, Natalie Earl, Wiliam Edwards, Michaela Gambill, Kati Gaston, Jaena Gormong, Cassandra Guarino, Richard Hansen, Miranda Harper, Alexis Hedges, Gayle Henderson, Kilie Hoffa, Stephenie Holley, Austin Hooten, Angel Hyde, Samantha Ivaturi, Madison King, Rose Landaverde, Promise Large, Tiffany Lee, Hunter Lumsdon, Alexandria Maras, Morgan Outcalt, Milton Outlaw, Brandon Pershing, Laura Pinkens, Katrina Plank, Zack Purdue, Sarah Schikora, Matt Shaw, Sarah Sim, Alexa Smith, Ashlee Smith, Dario Stephens, Kylie Stranahan, Lane Sullivan, Elizabeth Tock and Kaitlyn Wallace.

Musicians in the orchestra are Colin Boggs, Olivia Carson, Ashton Dillion, Jonathon Ellinger, Autumn Long, Kasy Long, Kristan Morris, Aaron Mutchler, Dylan Newkirk, Emily Okamoto, Kyle Perry, Dixie Sanders, Autumn Trifone and Zachary Weaver.

Trifone, a violin player, has returned for her second year in the orchestra.

“I think PAW has made it easier for me to play in the school orchestra and it really makes me appreciate music. PAW is a great way to spend time with my friends that go to other schools. I would choose PAW over sitting at home in the summer any day,” she said.

Members of the technical crew are John Chesterfield, Matt Clinkenbeard, Zoe Cottom, Jonathan Dang, Chris Farrell, Kathy Garcia, Diamond McDonald, Kathleen Owens, James Padan, Micah Palmer, Tiereny Pollard, Erin Sluyter and Aaron Todd.