In May 2010, Emily Behny graduated Ball State with the dream of making it on Broadway. She received her first big role, a stepping-stone toward her dream, shortly after graduation when she was cast as Belle in "Beauty and the Beast."
Tonight in John R. Emens Auditorium, the production brings Behny back to Ball State for the first time since graduation.
"I remember going to Emens and seeing various productions and wanting to be on the stage," Behny said. "And now, I am."
Behny's return to Ball State marks the fifth time in six years that a former theatre student has come back to campus and performed at Emens, said Bill Jenkins, chairperson of the Department of Theatre and Dance.
"Emily, like all of our theatre students, is dedicated, talented and focused," he said. "She got an opportunity with ‘Beauty and the Beast,' and she took advantage of it."
Behny described her character as a very spirited, compassionate and intelligent girl who happens to fall in love.
"Belle longs for more: for adventure, a prince charming and overall quite [a] different life," she said.
While she grew up loving all of the Disney princesses, Behny said Belle was her favorite. She said to play the character is amazing and a dream come true.
"I tell people that Belle is who I want to be when I grow up," she said. "She is who I strive to be."
Behny said her favorite part of the show is the audience. She said she loves meeting the attendees and learning how they were impacted by the show.
"I love seeing the kids come to the show in their costumes and watching them as they are truly transported into this world," she said.
Behny said that she performs as Belle in eight shows a week. She has done over 150 performances as the character.
"I try to be in the moment on stage," she said. "I see a lot of myself in Belle, and I have a lot of freedom to be myself. It's more of being in the moment and putting my own twist in it."
Behny said her education at Ball State helped her prepare for this role and her career overall.
"I learned that you have to really want this career," she said. "I have learned that hard work and discipline will get me far, and that you have to learn to accept failure."
Beth Turcotte, associate professor of theatre, instructed and directed Behny during her time at Ball State. She said that she also worked with Behny on the script for "The Circus in Winter," an immersive learning project that Turcotte oversaw.
She and Behny have spent a lot of time together, Turcotte said.
"Emily is literally a beauty," Turcotte said. "She has a bright, courageous and adventurous spirit. When you meet her, you feel like you know her. She's a bright little star with a love for theater, her family and her friends."
Wendy Mortimer, associate professor of theatre and dance, also instructed and directed Behny. She described Behny's work as simple and pure.
"I'm interested to see Emily's version of Belle," she said. "I don't know how she has changed [since graduating], so I am looking forward to seeing that, as well. I anticipate soulful, clean work. She has an amazing set of pipes, so I believe that her voice will just soar."
Behny said she was given inspirational advice about life, acting and challenges from her professors before graduating.
"My professors taught me to be myself and let myself shine through," she said. "They told me to never start small or to never start safe and to make big choices."
As far as challenges go, Behny said her biggest as Belle is keeping the character grounded.
"There are always some very intense scenes where Belle doesn't panic," she said. "Personally if I were in those scenes, I would panic. I just try to keep her real and consistent."
Behny said she has learned a lot from Belle, including the fact that it is okay to be different.
"Belle is a dreamer, and dreaming is always important," she said. "I have also learned that it is important to see past people and look at their heart. It is so easy to get caught up with people's exterior."
The tour will continue at least until the end of May. Behny said after her time as Belle is over, all she wants to do is work. She said she goes to New York City when she can for auditions, and she would love to do television or film.
NETworks' presentation of "Beauty and the Beast" will be at Emens Auditorium tonight. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are free for students with an ID and $10 at the doors. For more information or to check on the availability of tickets, contact the Emens box office.
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