(stage backdrops):

1. Two pieces of canvas or sheet material
2. Back stage board
3. Gesso or white latex paint
4. Tempera or acrylic paint
5. Needle and thread or sewing machine
6. Scissors
7. Can of spray acrylic fixative (may be purchased from any hobby store)

1. Cut sheet or canvas
2. Sew hem in sides and bottom. Sew slot hem in top
3. Paint one side with gesso or white latex paint. Be sure not to miss any spots. Allow to dry.
4. Paint the following scenes with acrylic or tempera paint. Allow to dry.
5. Spray with acrylic fixative.

1. Fabric rose (may be purchased at hobby store)
2. Wire flower stem

1. Glue the fabric rose to the wire flower stem. If the stem is too flimsy, use a piece of coat hanger instead. Make sure that the wire is at least 12" long.

1. Baster (the cooking kind-may be purchased at grocery or hardware stores)
2. Baby powder

1. Fill the baster with baby powder.
2. When the Beast disappears, hold up the tip of the baster right below stage level. Give the bulb a meaningful squeeze.)

1. Beauty and the Beast is one of the gentlest of all fairy tales. Therefore, we recommend you present it in a straight-forward fashion, with as little vaudeville as possible.
2. When the father brings in the rose use your other hand to hold it in front of him. Put it in the corner of the stage (you will have to anchor it on a stage board or have someone hold it during the first scene). Be sure to take it off stage for the second scene.
3. The father has two long speeches at the beginning. Be sure that he uses his stage space by pacing and stopping. Also make sure the Beast reacts with nods and slight movements of the head. In other words, keep the characters alive.
4. Practice the dance scene between Beauty and the Father lots!
5. When the Beast disappears during the last scene, be sure that the puff of powder puffs and that the Beast disappears in a quick, clean motion.