'Beauty & the Beast Jr.' Parents Gather at Costick

For some, Monday night’s parent meeting for Farmington Hills Youth Theater’s Beauty & the Beast Jr. was a reunion of sorts.

“This group is like a family, so it’s good to see everybody again,” said Vicky Heger, whose son, Zack, a sixth-grader at , is returning to Farmington Hills Youth Theater for the fifth time.

Sue Dodd agrees. Her 15-year-old daughter, Katie, a student, will play the role of Mrs. Potts. Dodd has attended these meetings since her daughter began with Youth Theater eight years ago.

“It’s like seeing old friends again,” she said. 

The mandatory meeting, held at the in Farmington Hills, provided parents of the third- through 12th-grade cast with scheduling and rehearsal information. More than 100 attended.

While returning parents looked forward to seeing old acquaintances,  first-time theater parents were eager in their own way.

Noreen Hashmi of West Bloomfield attended the meeting with her daughter, who will be taking the Costick Center stage for the first time. 

“They gave us lots of good information tonight,” she said. “This program is very child-friendly. I’m really looking forward to this for her.” 

Another new Youth Theater parent, Bill Holcomb, sat next to his daughter, Madison, for the 45-minute meeting.  

“I’m looking forward to her being engaged in the community,” said Holcomb.  “It’s always fun to see your child doing something like this.”

Despite her young age, Madison also reconnected with old friends.

“Someone from my preschool class is here,” said the sixth-grader.

Melinda Sheatzley will directd the musical for Sky’s The Limit Productions, contracted by the . She began her presentation by reminding the parents to keep the rehearsal process in perspective.

“The destination is excellent, and the performance is great, but in the end, it’s the journey along the way,” she said.  “It’s the things they’ll learn and the friendships they’ll make."

Socializing was on everyone’s mind, but attendees still had to take care of business at the meeting. Parents filled out registration forms, picked up information on being a volunteer “kid wrangler” and asked many questions of the Sky’s The Limit staff during the meeting.

Nancy Coumoundouros, Farmington Hills' cultural arts supervisor, was there to ensure that registration went smoothly.

“Tonight is all about bringing everyone together to make this the best possible experience for a child,” she said.

Beauty & the Beast Jr. will be performed April 28 through May 1 at the Costick Center.