EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the fourth story in the "Behind the Curtain" series, a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring a theatre production to the stage, from auditions to opening night. Read Part 1, which focused on auditions; Part 2, which focused on costumes and set design, and Part 3, which focused on music.
Photos by Ralph Freso / Behind-the-scenes slideshow / Dress rehearsal slideshow
After two months, it's finally here: opening night.
Students click on their vanity mirror lights, snap open their makeup boxes, plug in their curling irons and try to control their excitement.
Ethington Theatre’s backstage ramps up from quiet to chaos in seconds as student actors pack the dressing rooms for Grand Canyon University’s final production of the semester, "Beauty and the Beast," whose final shows run at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
“It feels like yesterday that we found out the cast list and were all crying in the hallway,” said Jessica Mangels, who portrays Belle. “I am so ready to have an audience. My goal is to make my family and my boyfriend cry.”
Since auditions in September, the cast has delved into rehearsals that run late into the night, barreling through scenes, singing, dancing and perfecting the minute details to give life to the Disney classic.
“It was a big jump for a lot of us to take on these roles, but we wouldn’t change it for the world," Mangels said. “It has been a lot of pressure because these roles are so iconic, and everyone knows it. But since I have been living with it for almost two months, I am just really excited to show people.”
Every dressing room chair is occupied on opening day by 4:30 p.m. as each cast member begins to transform into their character. Some actors apply their own makeup; some do so with the help of the hair and makeup crew, depending on the complexity of the design.
“I took paintings, objects and pictures from the live action of the feelings I wanted to create,” said Hair and Makeup Designer Cora Epton. “To prepare, I drew it all myself with digital because I wanted it to be seen on a real person first.
Epton dabs foundation on sophomore Luke Lundberg, whose makeup is one of the more complex of the cast, as she begins to transform him into the Beast. With heavy bronzer lining his forehead and cheeks, diagonal lines sprouting from the sides of his nose, and white fangs drawn on his top lip, Lundberg begins to resemble his character more and more with each step.
“I sweat all my makeup off because the costume is so hot,” Lundberg said.
“That’s why I always carry a little fan on me for actors,” Epton added.
As part of the two-month preparation process, Lundberg fully committed to his role by growing out a beard to add to his character’s look.
“It’s never been this long, but I kind of like it. I might keep it,” he said.
While Epton adds final touches on Lundberg, Mangels creates her own Belle look.
“I never wear makeup, so this has been a learning process for me,” Mangels said. “I have to put white eyeliner around my eyes, and my eyes are already so big, this makes me look like a doll.”
Mangels spreads vibrant blush across her cheeks and nose and fills in her eyebrows with dark shadow, creating a look that is very strong up close but a perfect blend for the far-away audience.
In between pampering, Lundberg and Mangels use nebulizers to hydrate their vocal cords.
“I don’t usually use it that much, but I have been singing a lot,” Lundberg said.
“Did you put soda in it?” Ben Sparling, who portrays Gaston, said jokingly.
“Oh yeah, that is really good for you,” Lundberg said.
Along with makeup styling comes hair, headpieces and costumes.
Some actors are finished styling their hair as soon as they don their bald cap; some shuffle through multiple hair products and clips to achieve the desired look.
“Putting the costumes on helps get you into character, but especially the hair,” Mangels said. “The hair really does it for me because long hair is not me.”
After twisting her hair in a tight bun, Assistant Hair and Makeup Designer Kennedy Bailey clips hair extensions onto Mangels to achieve the classic Belle look.
With time closing in before the show, the cast hurriedly navigates through an assembly of puffy dresses, knee-high boots and long capes as actors step out in their costumes, one by one.
“The hardest part is putting the muscle suit on, but luckily, I don’t have to take that off once it’s on,” Lundberg said. “I can’t put the coat on myself because I can’t lift my arms that high, I have to have someone put it over my shoulders.”
Lundberg grows a few inches taller once he turns into the Beast with the extra foam padding on his shoulders and heeled boots on his feet so that he now towers over Belle.
“I am always so thirsty in the middle of the show,” Lundberg said. “But I am also scared I am going to have to go to the bathroom, so I don’t want to drink too much water now. When I get nervous, I have to go to the bathroom so that is why it scares me,”
“Luke, I am the same! I go to the bathroom at least six times in one show,” added Mangels.
“Fifteen minutes until physical warmups!” assistant stage managers announce.
High-knees, jumping-jacks and lunges shake the stage as the cast spreads throughout the theatre space for physical warmups. To properly prepare for big musical numbers featured in the production, the cast has to get their energy up well before the show even starts.
Shortly after, “Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do” fills the air along with various singing exercises as the cast switches to vocal warmups lead by Music Director Mark Fearey.
As the final step before getting to their starting places, the cast and crew gather outside for final announcements and prayer.
“It has been a very communal process,” said Stage Manager Gracie Down. “When you are with the same people every day for two months, this becomes your little family.”
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
IF YOU GO
What: "Beauty and the Beast"
Where: Ethington Theatre, Grand Canyon University
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday
Tickets: Click here.
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GCU News: Cast, crew orchestrate musical magic for 'Beauty and the Beast'
GCU News: Theatre program brings Disney magic to life with unique costumes and set designs
GCU News: Audition process for iconic Disney musical was a beast
