
Storyline
Step into the enchanted world of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, an international sensation that has been produced in 37 countries worldwide. This classic tells the story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Production Team

Natalie Futrell
Managing Director
Natalie Futrell enjoys overseeing the day to day operations of the theatre. She has worked at Young Actors for fifteen years, serving as the Education Director, Company Manager, and drama teacher, directing the Kid’s Company, Middle School Company, and Performers Unlimited program. She has stage managed over ten Mainstage productions. Her pride and joy is directing the students at YAT. Some of her favorite directing endeavors include Beauty and the Beast, Finding Nemo Jr, 13: The Musical, Elf, and The Wizard of Oz. Futrell would like to thank her parents, Mark & Marian, for enrolling her in a “High School Musical” YAT summer camp in 2006, which would lead to her strong sense of love for the arts. In her spare time, she is the Midday onscreen talent at the Florida Lottery, putting her theatre training to use.

Kassidy Canova
Program Coordinator
Canova serves as the Program Coordinator and choreographer of the ACT ONE touring troupe at YAT. She is a graduate of Florida School of the Arts, where she studied Musical Theatre and Directing. Upon graduating Canova taught and choreographed for Asbury Arts Center in Middleburg, Florida, and directed/coached various events for Showtime USA in St. Augustine before returning to her hometown in 2018. She has choreographed various Junior productions at YAT including Frozen Jr, The Addams Family Young @ Part, Mary Poppins Jr, Nemo Kids, and Mean Girls Jr. Some performance highlights for Canova include her roles of Ruth Condomine in Blithe Spirit and Constance Ledbelly in Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) at Florida School of the Arts, Lady Beaconsfield in Jekyll & Hyde with NRM Performance at the Monticello Opera House, and most recently as the Nurse in Romeo & Juliet with the talented students of Young Actors Theatre.

Alison B. Grimes
Music Director
ALISON B. GRIMES, YAT’s Music Director received her Bachelor’s degree in Music from Florida State University as a voice and piano major studying with such notable artists as David Wingate and Edward Kilenyi. She has been the Musical Director, Pianist and Vocal Coach for Young Actors Theatre since 1979 and serves as Pianist and Assistant Director at Fellowship Baptist Church. At YAT, Ms. Grimes is heavily involved in long-term planning with regard to season, secondary and touring shows. With over 43 years of performing, directing and teaching experience; she has countless performances and over 100 productions to her credit. Mrs. Grimes also has a diploma in Writing for Children and Teenagers. She has been awarded in Who’s Who in Music and the Extraordinary Performing Artists of America.

Isabel Chistoni
Dance Director
Chistoni has been dancing since the age of three, and has received training from various accomplished dance companies in Connecticut and New York. She made her choreographic debut at YAT with The Addams Family in 2022, and has since choreographed Elf: The Musical, Pride & Prejudice, 13: The Musical, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, and Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! which was performed at FSU’s Fallon Theatre. In addition to choreographing productions, she serves as a teaching artist at YAT, working mainly with middle and high school aged students. Stage credit highlights include Cabaret (DC), In The Heights (Swing), Legally Blonde, and Newsies (Finch, DC). Rina is currently pursuing a career in performing arts as an independent performer and choreographer, and she is particularly grateful to J. Scott Handley, former teacher, for the opportunity to serve as YAT’s Director of Dance. Thanks go out to family and friends for their continuous love and support!

Assistant Choreographer
Piper Greisl

Sponsors
This show was generously sponsored by our 50th Anniversary Title Partner, Prime Meridian Bank.