Danielle Gerber, 2008 Canyon High graduate who earned a bachelor in fine arts and dance West Texas A&M University, choreographed the school’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” after once playing the role of Belle herself.

“It was like reliving my senior year of high school,” Gerber said. “It just brought back a lot of memories of my friends and of the cast, everybody that was in the show that year.”

Gerber said she enjoyed the opportunity to choreograph the musical because it was interesting to watch how differently the characters were portrayed.

“I think everyone in the cast this year has done a really great job,” Gerber said. “And it’s been really fun to be able to compare the acting decisions we made when we were their age and in their shoes.”

Recalling her turn on stage, Gerber said playing Belle was an easier part for her to act because she never considered herself an actor so much as she loved to sing and dance.

“Well it was kind of a dream come true,” Gerber said. “I think every girl wants to be a Disney princess.”

One of Gerber’s favorite memories was when Beast came onto the stage without his mask.

“He just looked like a normal guy, so he was walking around the stage trying to cover his face so that nobody would see him before he turned into the prince,” Gerber said. “I wish I could remember why he couldn’t find it or why he didn’t have it on, but it was really funny.”

Gerber said that her absolute favorite memories were the impacts that she had on the young children. For months after the show had closed she would have little kids walk into the UPS store where she worked and recognize her without being in costume.

“And by far my favorite story was when a teacher came to the show with her husband and his little girl,” Gerber said.

Gerber knelt down to speak with the young girl, who willingly carried a conversation with her.

“I stood back up and they, her dad and stepmom, had the weirdest look on their faces so I said, ‘what’s up? Is everything okay?’,” Gerber said. “They said ‘yeah, but she hasn’t spoken since her mother died.’”

Gerber said she will never forget the little girl who had not spoken a word but wanted to talk to her as Belle.

“She just hadn’t talked, you know that she wasn’t ready,” Gerber said. “But meeting Belle made her want to talk. And I believe she started talking to everybody shortly after that.”

Years later, Gerber continues to build her performance legacy as she now sings with two bands. She also works for her family’s restaurant, Gerb’s Wurst Bar in Amarillo, while keeping her nieces and teaching choreography whenever she is given the chance.

“This is actually the first year since then that I haven’t taught dance as my regular job or at least one of my regular jobs,” Gerber said. “I was really happy they asked me to choreograph the musical because I got to do something with dance.”