Jess here. College is a big step for any student; whether attending a local university or traveling halfway across the country to submerge yourself in a completely new pool.

Well, here we are; Our last week of CCPA 2016/17. Our opening week of shows went extremely well, with a few minor 'cringy' moments - as to be expected with live theatre - but in all, it was an incredibly successful week! These unexpected ended up adding humour to the show, like when Cogsworth goes to look up with the Beast and Lumiere and say 'look at the Rose, it's wilting at an alarming rate' (or something like that), and the rose has disappeared, forcing the actors to improv while tech figures out how to get the rose back up there. Or when Babette's shoe flies off her foot in the tango, and our actress plays it off beautifully. It's that moment when at first you freak out, but 10 minutes later, you're dying of laughter from it. And, like I said, we have a great cast who can play it off so the audience doesn't know it's unintentional. My dad even asked me if Gaston's fall into the Orchestra pit (intentional) was supposed to happen because it seemed so real and spontaneous.

As I am graduating from Shenandoah Conservatory in the next couple weeks, I have been reflecting on the programs and faculty members that have positively impacted me during my time here, and ironically I have learned so much about myself and my craft outside the classroom. I credit a lot of my artistic growth from spending time in the dance studio, practice rooms, and rehearsal hall during late nights after classes have ended, collaborating with my peers. I think that when going into any industry it is important to have a wide understanding of communication and how to effectively talk to your teammates in order to achieve a goal.

This week, students of the Canadian College of Performing Arts take you backstage to meet Belle.

When you've been to many shows, you have MANY stories to tell! Not just of the amazing or 'goodish' show you saw, but interactions with audience members. In no particular order, here are my experiences! I feel that you can relate to most!

It's our last week of rehearsals for Disney's Beauty and The Beast and I am eyes-deep in frilly bloomers and life sized household objects. We have a finished show which continues being polished each day and it's so beautiful. I cannot believe how we have managed to pull together such an incredible and professional looking show in the amount of time we have been working.

CCPA Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of 'Beauty and the Beast' Live in Victoria, April 21-29 at the McPherson Playhouse.

Jess here. Las Vegas is known for its groundbreaking entertainment and risky performances. The production I just saw of HAND TO GOD at the newly-opened Majestic Repertory Theatre is no exception to the rule. This show was undoubtedly the funniest work I have ever seen, thanks to the actors and director, Troy Heard. HAND TO GOD follows Jason, a troubled teenage boy with a strange connection to his homemade puppet. Jason struggles to please his recently widowed mother who has put together a daily 'Puppet Practice' group in the basement of a local Texas Lutheran Church. Things slowly start to spiral out of control when Jason's puppet, Tyrone, seems to develop a sinister mind of his own. Chaos and consequences ensue, as Jason and Tyrone ultimately go wild.

While in the midst of only our 2nd week of rehearsal, I am astonished at the rate that our musical is coming together. I am so used to working 2 hours a day, 2-3 times a week, painstakingly watching piece by piece slowly mend to one another; a snail's pace compared to this.

With my first year of college classes over, (it's so weird saying that!) we are officially into rehearsals for 'Disney's Beauty and The Beast.' These first few rehearsals have been so amazing and eye-opening; it's my first time working in this type of atmosphere and having absolute focus just on the show is so refreshing.