As part of Poughkeepsie City School District’s investing in expanding Arts Education for district students, Krieger Elementary School is inviting the community to a performance of the Disney classic “Beauty and the Beast” tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 25. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. with the show starting at 6 p.m. This year marks the third theatrical performance the school has produced, following “The Wizard of Oz” in 2023 and “Annie Jr.” in 2022.
The first two plays were less familiar to students, prompting third-grade teacher/play producer Nicole Schmitt to choose something they had seen and that would stretch the talents of several student actors who starred in the previous shows.
“I’ve gotten to know their acting personalities and voices,” Schmitt explained. “I was thinking about what play and what characters would fit them best, not to mention the costumes are so fun.”
Schmitt was ecstatic to see more newcomers involved, including fifth grader Mark Thomas who portrays antagonist Gaston. Forty-two students in grades three through five are involved in the production. “I had several new fifth graders audition and step into some lead roles,” Schmitt said. “They have impressed me.”
Thomas was encouraged to join the show after being asked to be involved last year by Schmitt who told him he could carry a tune. As rehearsal went on, he found that acting is not as easy as it looks, but has enjoyed it.
“I like it when I get on the stage,” Thomas said. “It’s good to try something new.”
Taking on the lead role of Belle is fifth grader Lara Topaloglu who watched the 1991 animated film for inspiration, but made sure not to copy the original.
“I like to make things unique, I wouldn’t make it the same,” Topaloglu explained. “I was trying to use her as an inspiration on how to do it.”
Topaloglu appreciates getting to sing and dance for this show, as well as watching her cast mates display hidden talents. “It’s interesting to see your friends do stuff that you never knew they could do,” she said. “You’re inspired by them.”
For Topaloglu, her favorite aspect of acting is seeing how life is in someone else’s shoes. She encouraged future performers to not get discouraged if they do not like a role they are cast in because there are always open roles to fill.
“You don’t always have to be the main character,” Topaloglu said. “You can choose whoever you want to be.” Fifth grader Caylee Wood pulls the stage’s curtains in-between scenes, which she described as a tough job, but likes being able to meet new kids with similar interests.
“You can make friends with other crew members that you weren’t friends with before,” Wood said. “There’s a lot of new people.”
“I had several new fifth graders audition and step into some lead roles,” Schmitt said. “They have impressed me.”
Thomas was encouraged to join the show after being asked to be involved last year by Schmitt who told him he could carry a tune. As rehearsal went on, he found that acting is not as easy as it looks, but has enjoyed it.
“I like it when I get on the stage,” Thomas said. “It’s good to try something new.”
Taking on the lead role of Belle is fifth grader Lara Topaloglu who watched the 1991 animated film for inspiration, but made sure not to copy the original.
“I like to make things unique, I wouldn’t make it the same,” Topaloglu explained. “I was trying to use her as an inspiration on how to do it.”
Topaloglu appreciates getting to sing and dance for this show, as well as watching her castmates display hidden talents.
“It’s interesting to see your friends do stuff that you never knew they could do,” she said. “You’re inspired by them.”
For Topaloglu, her favorite aspect of acting is seeing how life is in someone else’s shoes. She encouraged future performers to not get discouraged if they do not like a role they are cast in because there are always open roles to fill.
“You don’t always have to be the main character,” Topaloglu said. “You can choose whoever you want to be.”
Fifth grader Caylee Wood pulls the stage’s curtains in-between scenes, which she described as a tough job, but likes being able to meet new kids with similar interests.
“You can make friends with other crew members that you weren’t friends with before,” Wood said. “There’s a lot of new people.”
