Wheaton Drama is pleased to announce auditions for Disney Beauty and the Beast, with music
by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice and book by Linda Woolverton. This
tale as old as time tells the story of a selfish young prince who has been turned into a beast who
will remain a beast until he can love someone else and be loved in return and the plucky, young
provincial girl named Belle who comes into his life. Along the way we meet the prince’s
household staff who have also been cursed and whose fortunes are tied to the young prince’s as
well as Belle’s father and the other provincial townspeople including the pompous and not too
clever Gaston.
Disney Beauty and the Beast will be performed November 19-December 12. Showtimes are
Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 2:00 and 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm.
Auditions will be held on Sunday September 19, Monday September 20 and Tuesday September
21 from 6:30 to 10:00 pm at the theater, 111 N. Hale Street, Wheaton. Callbacks, as needed, will
be on Wednesday, September 22 from 6:30-10:00 pm. Auditions are by appointment and will be
in groups of 6 at 20-minute intervals. Auditioners must be at least 12 years of age. First cast
meeting and read/sing-through – September 25, 2 pm. Rehearsals will begin Sunday, September
26, and will be held on Sunday afternoons and Monday through Thursday evenings. Not all cast
will be called for all rehearsals.
To reserve an audition time, click this link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050949AEAD22A2FB6-beauty
Auditions forms can be found here. Please forward the completed form, headshot, and proof of
Covid vaccination to [email protected], or bring them to the audition. You will
receive an email confirming your audition date and time. If you have any questions, please email
them to the above gmail link.
First auditions will consist of singing approximately 32 bars of a song in the style of Beauty and
the Beast, but not from the show, which best shows off your vocal ability. After singing, you will
also learn a brief dance routine and audition for the choreographer, so bring comfortable clothes
and shoes in which to sing and dance. Callbacks will consist of singing selections from the show,
and perhaps reading scenes from the show. People asked to come to callbacks will receive sides
containing music and scenes.
There will be two optional dance workshops, conducted by the choreographer Katy Smith, to be
held at the theater on September 11 and 18 from 2-5 pm. To sign up for a workshop in advance,
click here. Walk-ins will also be allowed, but advanced notice is preferred. Attendance at a
workshop is not required, but workshops are being conducted for those who would like
assistance in learning some of the dances for their audition.
Wheaton Drama has made the determination that for this show, all members of the staff, cast,
crew, and orchestra must be fully vaccinated, and has adopted Covid protocols consistent with
current CDC recommendations.
All roles are available, and are as follows:
NARRATOR, a voice over during the prologue
YOUNG MAN, a selfish prince
OLD BEGGAR WOMAN, an enchantress in disguise
BELLE, a smart, plucky young woman from a provincial town.
MAURICE, an inventor and Belle’s father.
GASTON, a pompous and dim-witted “ladies man.”
LA FOU, a dim-witted lackey to Gaston.
MONSIEUR D’ARQUE, proprietor of the lunatic asylum.
COGSWORTH, an English major-domo of the castle, who is becoming a mantle clock.
LUMIERE, a French maître d’, who is becoming a candelabra.
MRS. POTTS, a cook who is becoming a teapot.
CHIP, Mrs. Potts’ son, who is becoming a teacup.
MADAME DE LA GRANDE BOUCHE, an opera singer who is becoming a wardrobe.
BABETTE, a maid who is becoming a feather duster.
THE BEAST, master of the castle who used to be a prince.
ENSEMBLE (12-16 actors of all ages), who will portray townspeople and castle servants, most
of whom will have featured vocal solo and/or dialogue lines.
The Disney Beauty and the Beast creative team includes:
Production Manager – Elyse Willis, Assistant Production Manager – Vikkie Fritz, Director – Stan
Austin, Assistant Director – Erin McIntyre, Music Director – Aaron Zimmerman, Choreographer
– Katy Smith, Set Construction and Stage Manager – Bruce Ebner, Assistant Stage Managers –
Melanie Johnson and Julie Kanturek, Fight Coordinator – Bruce Worthel, Lighting – Jim Van De
Velde, Sound – Tom French, Costumes – Janet Zimmerman, Props – Lisa Miller, Dan Baggett
and Ellen Joyce Tomes, Art Projections – Bill Donaldson and Andy Kanturek.