“Beauty and the Beast” is on stage at Nixa High School this year. The backstage crew works behind the scenes to keep things running. 

   Rehearsals are a big part of the preparations for the big night. Freshman Addison Pharris plays the role of Enchanted Object and said her rehearsals can be lengthy.

   “I don’t do rehearsal as often. But when I do, it’s pretty long,” Pharris said. “Some of the recent ones that I’ve had, have been choreography from 6 to 9. So it’s just three hours of dancing.” 

The head director of the show said backstage can be chaotic on opening night.

   “I would say [opening night is] chaos, but I really feel like by opening night, we kinda know what’s going on,” theatre teacher Allison Fleetwood said. “Eighty-two kids trying to ship them on and off stage is gonna be a struggle, but we do have the Aetos, and we have bigger space. We have bigger green rooms. So, really it should be smooth sailing.” 

   Although the lead-up to the big night can be stressful, Pharris said she doesn’t let her nerves get in the way.

   “I really like telling a story to an audience. I just think musical theater is really fun. So part of that’s the payoff for me,” Pharris said. “I feel like I’m at my best when I’m performing, and I find it to be really fun no matter whether or not I’m nervous.” 

   Fleetwood said she hopes that the performance will impact the audience.

   “I hope that they just leave feeling like, pure joy just seeing these kids sing and dance across the stage. It is just so fun to see,” Fleetwood said.

   “Beauty and the Beast” will be hosted in the Aetos Performing Arts Center. There will be a matinee for both fourth and sixth graders on Nov. 6. The show will be open to the public on Nov. 7, Nov. 9 and 10.