The Difference between being in a Light UP production and watching one

by Matty C

Recently, I watched Light UP’s Summer Youth Project (SYP), Beauty and The Beast and it made me think about how different my experience was as someone who has participated in previous show-in-a-week productions by Light UP, those being the two previous easter youth projects (EYPs), compared to before.

I thought about all the effort and hard work that is needed and given in order to put on a musical in such a short amount of time. From the props like Maurice's machine and costuming like Gaston's wig and The Beast’s mask to creating and learning the choreography which is especially and evidently impressive in the Be Our Guest number as it involved the whole cast on a small stage. One thing in particular I noticed was the accents and even slight voice changes given to many of the characters which was far more noticeable when you know the people behind them, the most clear being Lumiere’s french accent and Gaston's deeper voice. 

Unlike SYPs which are consistently musicals, EYPs are focused on Shakespearean works. The two that I have previously been involved in are The Tempest where I played Stephano and Midsummer Nights Dream where I played Nick Bottom which has been the most challenging and yet the most enjoyable role I've played. The challenge mentioned being the holographic donkey head I was saddled with (pardon the pun) as it was a literal obstacle to myself and anyone around me requiring a part or two to be reblocked as otherwise actors would have been harmed in the making of this show. This is why I especially respect The Beast as she was able to clearly emote and project even with a mask that covers your face which I know isn't easy to do.

Though the EYPs are not the same as the SYPs the experiences are similar enough that I know, even seated all the way in the back, just how much time and energy was put into Beauty and The Beast and I want to say that I am sincerely and severely proud of everyone involved as the culmination of all these skills created something truly wonderful.