The SJU Theatre Company opened its production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” this past weekend, marking the company’s first ever Disney show and largest SJU theatre production in almost a decade.
The decision to produce such a large show was influenced by the recent influx of musical theatre majors. According to the show’s director, Renee Dobson, M.F.A., associate professor of performing arts, musicals have a cast of 16 to 18 people, but this show has a cast of 28, along with a crew of 12 and orchestra of nine.
“We have an influx of many more musical theatre majors over the last two years,” Dobson said. “We wanted to provide them an opportunity to perform in a show that had many roles in it. We wanted to provide for our musical theatre majors.”
Dobson said the department of music, theatre & film has tripled its enrollment of musical theatre majors over the past twoyears to a total of 14 students. The department of music, theatre & film has attracted students like Sam Jenkins ’21, who plays the lead role of Belle and is excited about the theatre department’s recent growth.
“Theatre is an underappreciated art form,” Jenkins said. “I do think that the more people we have, the bigger shows that we will be able to do and the more funding we will be able to make.”
Although the musical represents growth for the company, going from the typical size show to a larger production has taken some adjustment.
Lexi Mignogna ’21 is the student managing director of the SJU Theatre Company and plays the role of Madame de la Grande Bouche. She said she welcomes the adjustment to a larger production.
“Coming to a cast from the teens to a cast that is approaching thirty, plus crew, is definitely different in the green room for sure,” Mignogna said. “It is crowded, but it is lively and there is so much positive energy. It is so great meeting new people and seeing new faces come out and audition.”
Not only is the theatre company gaining more exposure due to the larger production, but the musical also presents a unique learning opportunity for students that have never been in a college production before.
Ray Zuhowski ’21 plays the role of Beast and has been in multiple musicals during his time at St. Joe’s. Zuhowski said that the larger musicals present a different opportunity for actors and actresses than smaller musicals.
“It is a really great opportunity for people to grow as performers when you have a bigger cast,” Zuhowski said. “There is a lot more responsibility put on everyone in the cast, not just a select few.”
Even though the musical was larger than the typical production, there was still the same sense of community that was fostered in the smaller casts, according to Mignogna.
“The community of actors, technicians, directors, musicians, there are so many familiar friendly faces that it is almost like you feel that you are at home again,” Mignogna said.
Kerri Greco ’21, a member of the ensemble and a first time participant in the SJU Theatre Company, said that the cast’s preexisting connections allowed them to be more welcoming to new students.
“The connection between the characters and [actors] are what drives the show,” Greco said. “With such a big cast, it was a bit difficult, but I think those previous connections that were already there made it easier to get [new] people involved.”
Dobson said the growth the of the SJU Theatre Company is a promising sign for the future of theatre on St. Joe’s campus.
Dobson sees “Beauty and the Beast” as an opportunity to spread the love of theatre to the younger community. After the show, Dobson has members of the cast meet children and offer to take pictures with them.
“It has been a while since we have done a musical that was family friendly,” Dobson said. “The most exciting part for me is bringing theatre to a younger generation. It is very important to keep the art form alive.”
The remaining “Beauty and the Beast” shows at the Bluett Theatre will be Feb. 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.
