'Behind the Curtain' with 'Beauty and the Beast'

By Ralph Freso

Go behind the scenes of the College of Arts and Media's final show of the semester, "Beauty and the Beast." From auditions to opening day, the cast delves into a two-month process and reveals what it is like to prepare for a major musical production at Ethington Theatre. Read Part 1, which focuses on auditions; Part 2, about costumes and set design; Part 3, which focuses on music; and Part 4, which puts the spotlight backstage just before opening day.

  • "Beauty and the Beast" Director Cindi Calhoun (left) watches as students audition for a role in the theatre department's production of the play on Sept. 17, 2024.
  • "Beauty and the Beast" Director Cindi Calhoun (left) watches auditions for the play with her assistants on Sept. 17, 2024.
  • Senior Ryenne Morgan auditions for a role in the theatre department's production of "Beauty and the Beast" on Sept. 17, 2024.
  • Students audition for a role in the theatre department's production of "Beauty and the Beast" on Sept. 17, 2024.
  • "Beauty and the Beast" Director Cindi Calhoun (center) watches as students audition for a role in the theatre department's production of the play on Sept. 17, 2024.
  • Sophomore Joanna Heneveld auditions for a role in the theatre department's production of "Beauty and the Beast" on Sept. 17, 2024.
  • Jessica Mangels, who plays the lead of “Belle” in the theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast," sews her dress in the costume shop on Oct. 15, 2024.
  • Costume Designer Nola Yergen pins the costume sleeves of freshman Carter Giannetti, who plays Lumiere, in the theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast," during a fitting in the costume shop on Oct. 15, 2024.
  • Costume Designer Nola Yergen pins the back of a vest of freshman Carter Giannetti, who plays Lumiere, in the theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast," during a fitting in the costume shop on Oct. 15, 2024.
  • The jacket of "Beauty and the Beast" character Lumiere begins to take shape in the theatre department’s costume shop. Oct. 15, 2024.
  • Theatre department student workers begin hanging and focusing stage lighting for the production of "Beauty and the Beast" at Ethington Theatre. Oct. 15, 2024.
  • Technical Director Klay Wandelear (left) and Lighting Designer Nick Hutchinson look over a stage lighting diagram with senior Gracie McGraw as they prepare to hang stage lights for the theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast" at Ethington Theatre. Oct. 15, 2024.
  • Assistant Master Electrician junior Cara Gregg secures a stage light in preparation for the theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast" at Ethington Theatre. Oct. 15, 2024.
  • Master Electrician for "Beauty and the Beast" Alex Pearson in the lighting booth at Ethington Theatre. Nov. 06, 2024.
  • Set Designer William Symington and "Beauty and the Beast" Director Cindi Calhoun on set at Ethington Theatre. Nov. 08, 2024.
  • Technical Director Klay Wandelear and student workers begin to piece together the castle walls for the theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast" at Ethington Theatre. Oct. 23, 2024.
  • Technical theatre assistant junior Kailey Mazur drills mount screws in the flooring for the castle balcony in the scene shop during set design for theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast" at Ethington Theatre. Oct. 23, 2024.
  • Technical Director Klay Wandelear and student workers begin to piece together the castle walls for theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast" at Ethington Theatre. Oct. 23, 2024.
  • Theatre department student workers roll pieces of the castle wall and balcony into place for the production of "Beauty and the Beast" at Ethington Theatre. Oct. 23, 2024.
  • Freshman Sophia Johnston cuts pieces of wood for the castle steps in the scene shop during set design for theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast" at Ethington Theatre. Oct. 23, 2024.
  • Run crew freshman student worker Jaden Lynch sweeps the stage of debris before a rehearsal as the castle for the theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast" at Ethington Theatre is near completion. Nov. 05, 2024.
  • Set Designer for "Beauty and the Beast" William Symington with many of the stage props at Ethington Theatre. Nov. 08, 2024.
  • Mark Fearey conducts the live orchestra during rehearsal of the theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast" on Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Mark Fearey conducts the orchestra during rehearsal of the theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast" on Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Sophia Bagley plays the oboe with the orchestra during rehearsal of the theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast" on Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Kaleigh Perez plays trumpet with the orchestra during rehearsal of the theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast" on Nov. 6, 2024.
  • The orchestra plays during rehearsal of the theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast" on Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Percussionist Jesse Gallegos watches the screen as he plays with the orchestra during rehearsal of the theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast" on Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Kendall Higby plays keyboards with the orchestra during rehearsal of the theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast" on Nov. 6, 2024.
  • A feed of the play is shown on a monitor as Mark Fearey conducts the orchestra during rehearsal of the theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast" on Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Sound Board Operator Andy Zulla sets the levels for cast microphones and the live orchestra during rehearsal of the theatre department’s production of "Beauty and the Beast" on Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Ben Sparling, who plays Gaston in the theatre department’s production of “Beauty and the Beast,” practices a dance routine in the back lot of Ethington Theatre before a dress rehearsal on Nov. 7, 2024.
  • Jessica Mangels, who plays the lead of Belle in the theatre department’s production of “Beauty and the Beast,” puts on makeup with fellow cast members before a dress rehearsal at Ethington Theatre on Nov. 8, 2024.
  • Jessica Mangels (center) gets her hair done by Assistant Hair & Makeup Designer Kennedy Bailey (left) before a dress rehearsal at Ethington Theatre on Nov. 8, 2024.
  • Jessica Mangels stretches with the cast before a dress rehearsal at Ethington Theatre on Nov. 7, 2024.
  • Jessica Mangels jokes around with Carter Giannetti, who plays Lumiere, during mic check before a dress rehearsal at Ethington Theatre on Nov. 7, 2024.
  • Jessica Mangels puts on her petticoat before a dress rehearsal at Ethington Theatre on Nov. 7, 2024.
  • Jessica Mangels adjusts her dress with the help of Wardrobe Supervisor Jacie Worley before a dress rehearsal at Ethington Theatre on Nov. 7, 2024.
  • Luke Lundberg, who plays the Beast in the theatre department’s production of “Beauty and the Beast,” before he transforms into his character at Ethington Theatre on Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Luke Lundberg has his makeup applied by Hair and Makeup Supervisor Cora Epton before a dress rehearsal at Ethington Theatre on Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Luke Lundberg has his makeup applied before a dress rehearsal at Ethington Theatre on Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Luke Lundberg uses a nebulizer to keep his vocal cords moist before a dress rehearsal at Ethington Theatre on Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Luke Lundberg gets into his costume backstage with the help of Wardrobe Supervisor Jacie Worley before a dress rehearsal at Ethington Theatre on Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Luke Lundberg following his transformation into the Beast before a dress rehearsal at Ethington Theatre on Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Luke Lundberg adjust his headpiece before a dress rehearsal at Ethington Theatre on Nov. 6, 2024.
  • Luke Lundberg makes final adjustments to his headpiece as fellow cast members finish their hair and makeup before a dress rehearsal at Ethington Theatre on Nov. 6, 2024.

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GCU Magazine

ViewCurrent February 2026

Bible Verse

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
(Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

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