Be their guest at I.S. 201

Students in the drama department of Dyker Heights Intermediate School, I.S. 201, staged an eye-catching and affecting production, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr.” on March 15 and 16 with a cast and crew consisted of over 200 students.

Packing the auditorium each night with approximately 400 eager audience members, the students welcomed the audience into their enchanted world.

Principal Madeleine Brennan shared her pride and enthusiasm with the audience at the conclusion of the shows each night, noting the talent and dedication of the teachers and students.

Drama teacher Christina DeClara — the director, producer and choreographer of the production — took the microphone to bid farewell to the eighth graders graduating this coming June, expressing how they will be missed next year, and gave recognition to the extremely talented sixth and seventh graders who will be filling their shoes.

This production exceeded my expectations. That week during dress rehearsal there were so many challenges we had to work out but the students pulled it all together in the end. I am painted with pride but don’t know how I’m going to top this next year! remarked DeClara.

The assistant director was Jessica O’Mahoney-Schwartz, who noted, I have never seen such a cohesive and hard-working cast in the six years I’ve been assistant director. The vocal director was Wioletta Bogdanowicz. The art director was Tonia Jeffery.