Students started

preparing for their May performances in March by working on memorizing

their lines and studying their characters. Students read different versions

of the story and watched a video and a live performance of the musical

to get a feel for their particular character roles.

Other than

having an opportunity to have a stage role in a major play, Thompson says

the experience also helps students improve their public speaking skills

as well as their self-confidence.

"It's

incredible, really unbelievable, to watch how these students grow, mature

and change. It takes an incredible amount of teamwork and cooperation

for them to go out there and do this performance," she said. "They

help each other learn their parts. It's just a great way to end third

grade."

All parents

at Oak Grove have been invited to attend one of the free performances,

which are also being attended by other students at the school. Each class

is performing two productions of the play.