If you are not even aware of them or their work during the play, they have done their jobs. Through the sets, makeup, costuming, music, lights and special effects, they express their creativity and love of the theater.
These are the behind-the-scenes champions of Center Street Musical Theatre's current production of Disney's hit musical "Beauty and the Beast" - the people who provide the unseen efforts to make the show possible and who accept their applause from backstage.
"As a tech, I usually run the spotlight and move around props and scenery," said Shaun Hellums, 23, a junior from Daytona Beach, Fla., majoring in actuarial science. "The best part about my job is if I do it right, no one notices."
Brittany Grooms dedicates her time each night in creating the famed beast through makeup and latex.
"It was my first experience doing it, and it came to me pretty easily," said Grooms, a 16-year-old junior from Timpview High School.
Grooms spends over an hour on the beast's makeup each night, but it is a service she is happy to provide. "It definitely beats doing homework," she said.
From the other side of the chair, the beast appreciates Grooms' efforts. "She tries to make it look the same every night for a whole month," said Tyler Hinton, 22, a junior who hails from Lehi and is majoring in communications. Hinton plays the beast three nights a week.
"Even though the makeup is a little uncomfortable, Brittany works so hard - everybody works hard for the show," Hinton said.
Many people work behind the scenes, but Richard Nobbe's job seems to be endless. "I conduct the orchestra and the singers and dancers onstage," said Nobbe, who commented his arm never tires from directing two alternating orchestras each night.
Nobbe, a 24-year-old woodwinds performance major from Cleveland, Ohio, said the strong spiritual message in the play and the opportunity to gain more experience keeps musicians coming back to the theater.
"Without the musicians and all the effort, the show just wouldn't work out," Nobbe said. "The story and the score are so magical, so it is my job to make the music as good as it can be."
But the real heroes of Center Street Musical Theatre, Nobbe said, are its owners, Gavin and Sharilyn Grooms. With more than 60 years of arts experience between them, the Grooms have sought anyone wanting to participate in their passion of musical theater.
"I appreciate the work that the Grooms do," said Nobbe. "I fell in love with their passion and ambition and wanted to be a part of that."
Christina Penrod, 20, a flute player in the orchestra who is from Mission Viejo, Calif., also appreciates the theater. "It is wonderful that all the work is volunteer, and people can go and find something they want to do," she said.
The satisfaction of participating is ultimately more important than a standing ovation for Penrod and her backstage buddies.
"It's not about the applause, but the enjoyment of playing," she said.
Center Street Musical Theatre is located at 177 W. Center Street in Provo. "Beauty and the Beast" runs nightly, except for Sundays, through Dec. 23. Tickets are $8 for students. For more information, call (801) 764-0535.
Copyright Brigham Young University 5 Dec 2006
