South Jordan Middle School is set to enchant audiences this December with its production of “Beauty and the Beast Jr.,” a beloved Disney classic created through the energy and talent of about 90 students. 

Performances will run at 7 p.m., Dec. 4-6, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 6. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for students (up to age 17) and seniors (65+) and are available online at sojomiddle.seatyourself.biz. If seats are available, they can be purchased at the door, 10245 S. 2700 West.

Director and choir teacher Shawn Kidd said he chose “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” because it offered “a lot of different roles” and a story that fits well with the holiday season. 

“I wanted to do another big show,” he said. “We did ‘Newsies’ a few years ago and I was looking for something that would have a good variety of lead and supporting roles — and opportunities for a large ensemble.”

The production features a cast of about 65 performers, with an additional 23 students in the stage tech class supporting the show behind the scenes. 

The musical was open to all South Jordan Middle School students through auditions held in mid-September. Students performed monologues, song excerpts and dance steps in addition to callback auditions.

Rehearsals have taken place Monday through Thursday after school for about two hours each day. 

“At this point, we’re getting ready for our first full run-through,” Kidd said at the end of October.

 The director said large ensemble numbers such as “Be Our Guest” and “The Mob Song” have required extensive coordination and dedicated rehearsals.

“Those take a lot of time and have a lot of people and moving parts,” he said.

Costumes and props have been another fun challenge. 

“For this show, there are a lot of strange costumes, because people are either holding something or have been partly transformed into something,” Kidd said. 

The school’s stage tech class has been instrumental in helping with props and wardrobe assistance, while volunteer Jennifer Dishman has overseen costume alterations. 

Choreography is by Tara Richardson, who teaches health and yoga at the school. 

“She and I have worked together on several productions,” Kidd said, both at the school and in the City of South Jordan’s community theater.

Because of the size of the school’s kiva performance space, the set has been creatively designed as a two-story unit that transforms into multiple locations. 

“We’re incorporating triangular columns called periaktoi,” the director explained. “They were used even back in ancient Greek theater. We can turn them so they have different scenes on each side.” 

The forest scenes will be brought to life through creative lighting. 

“We’re doing tree shadows on the stage floor,” he said. “Our stage is unique because it’s the lowest part of the room so we can do lighting effects that other schools can’t.”

While the production’s technical elements are impressive, the heart of “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” lies in its message. 

“I really appreciate the character development of Belle (who is played by Brooke Hansen),” Kidd said. “She’s willing to be selfless and sacrifice for her father, and that changes and improves other people’s lives. Sometimes being selfless has a lot of benefit, even for you in the end.”

Beyond the story, he values what theater teaches his students. 

“It’s a very authentic experience,” he said. “It helps kids learn to work as a group, because everybody has a job and it’s unique. By the time we get to performances, I’m not doing anything except sitting in the audience—the kids run the show. I enjoy seeing them take ownership of it and make it their show and their production; they hold each other accountable and encourage each other.”