The drama room is getting heated up again and emotions are running high as the department gets ready take on “Beauty and the Beast” and prepare for auditions. On Feb. 9 and 10, the FHN theatre department will be hosting their auditions for the upcoming spring musical in the auditorium.

“My favorite part about auditions is being backstage while everyone is freaking out and practicing like crazy and stuff,” Junior Dan Borrelli said. “It’s nice to see everyone helping each other even though we’re going against each other for parts.’

Unlike previous shows, Hollenbeck middle schoolers will be joining them for the first time and their auditions will be on Feb. 9 followed by high school auditions on Feb. 10. Auditions will start around 2:20 P.M. and end at 5 P.M. and each actor will have a set time to go and perform a monologue and song. Judges will be looking for people who can portray a character well, along with having good singing ability and comfortable movements. Callbacks will follow that Thursday.

“Having middle schoolers up there with us will definitely make this show different than others,” junior Emily Henry said. “I’m really looking forward to hopefully making the cast and spending everyday after school doing what I love.”

Beauty and the Beast will take place on April 7, 8, and 9. Last year the thespian troupe performed “Anything Goes” as their spring musical. Normally, the drama club does a musical every other year but director Kim Sulzner decided to change it up this year.

“I’m looking forward to the story. I’ve never really performed a “fantasy” type of show besides High School Musical,” senior and drama club president Marissa Meyers said. “This one will have big costumes and big dances and it’s just a classic everyone is excited for.”