Beauty and the Beast

Since we moved to NC on 2016, Katya has been taking voice lessons from a wonderful coach Ms. Lauren. Katya loves musical theater and Ms. Lauren is a pro at that. She mentioned to us that the theater in Raleigh where she accompanies puts on a musical twice a year and that Katya should try out. The musical that they were going to be preparing for May was Beauty and the Beast. 

And so Katya auditioned for Bell. A newcomer, uncomfortable in a group of teenagers where everyone knew each other already and had been working for several season in different plays. According to her she didn't do an impressive job during the first audition. So it was surprising to receive an email a few days later from the theater director asking Katya to come back once more for them to listen to her sing. This time they just had the committee who decides on who gets what part listen to her. I dropped her off and only could eavesdrop from the outside at what was going on. Katya, this time, did an amazing job with the song "Home" (it's not in the cartoon, but is a song from the Broadway version).

We anxiously waited all weekend for the cast list to come out. Everyone who auditioned would get the part, but WHAT part is what Katya really was excited to find out. And finally, the email came! We quickly scrolled through the whole list to the very bottom ("W") and saw that Katya got the part of Belle!!! She almost couldn't believe it although I wasn't very surprised. It was a huge accomplishment for her! No one knew her and they trusted her to do a lead. 

So months of practice began. Finally in May, the show was presented to audience. We went a couple of times, and had many friends attend as well. 

Katya with her "dad" who seemed to sound more German than French:)) 

Katya and the Beast. Who was actually a very nice boy, Jack.

Of course, this was her favorite outfit. 

The cast did an amazing job!! Everyone sang and acted so well! This was obviously not just a regular middle school play. 

This was after the first performance! They had a total of four performances.

Gaston and Belle!!

Nice timing on my mom's part! She got to see Katya perform twice!:)

And here are some more pictures of the cast!

So proud of our beautiful little girl!

This pictures was taken after the premier. So happy Katya did such a fantastic job! Cannot wait to see what the future will bring. 

Lyana.