Today is the day Theatre West presents its’ spring musical, ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ but the audience will only see so much in Arganbright Auditorium. The backstage ongoings combine for a show-stopping performance, yet the community and influence Theatre West creates is not on full display. With nine different crews and months of rehearsals, the club becomes a home.

“I think that it’s really just such a good community because everyone cares about making the people look good and doing their best, and we spend so much time together that we get to know each other really well,” said Makeup Crew Chief Willow Oleson ’23.

Theatre West not only creates a family away from home, but it inspires careers that can only be pursued on the big stage.

“I think a lot of what drives me to continue to do this, inspires me from Into the Woods,” said Tess DeGrazia ’23 who plays Belle. “It was so special, and I think that’s really where I turned in my life and decided that this is what I wanted to do this professionally. And I’m going continue to do it for the rest of my life, so I’m really excited about that.”

‘Beauty and the Beast’ will pull the curtain for opening night at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, with another 7 p.m. showing Friday, April 14. Two final shows will take place the following day at 1 and 7 p.m. to close out Theatre West’s year. Tickets are only available online at theatrewesthigh.com as no tickets will be sold at the door, starting at $11.50 for students and senior citizens, $16.50 for adults and $6.50 for ICCSD employees.