Since October, director Leisa Johnson, who teaches music and physical education at the school, and her cast of third-through fifth-graders have rehearsed the environmentally themed musical during lunch hour. Johnson selected the songs and even penned a tune of her own—a science-based version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

"My first interest is in the content of the song," she says. "I want them to be appropriate and positive, but also have a good beat. And the songs have to be in a child's range. The production is for the children: I want them to have fun and like the music."

Through the songs' lyrics, Johnson aims to teach youth about the environment, as well as foster an interest in preserving Mother Nature.

To help the students learn the songs, Johnson sends them home with compact-disc recordings of the musical numbers. According to Antonella Millett, who is a volunteer and mother to three actors—10-year-old Camilla Silva and 8-year-old twins Gabriella Silva and Paulo Iacuitta—the recordings have become favorites with her children.

Millett adds that her children have already developed a stronger appreciation for nature through their involvement in the production.

"My kids talk more about conserving the environment," she says. "They come home with more enthusiasm for the theme."

Both Johnson and Millett say the production's tunes are a better alternative to the songs aired on the radio.

"There is no music out there that is made for kids," Johnson says. "The music on the radio is what they learn, and it is not appropriate for young children. Kids should be singing happy, light-hearted songs."

For children who are too shy to belt out a song in front of an audience there is still a part to play, Johnson adds. She tries to tailor parts to suit each child's individual skills and talents. Fifth-grader Brandon Honeycutt, for instance, is using his strong acting capability as a master of ceremonies to help lead the show. Fourth-graders Staci Phen, Yara Larios and Kristin Alvarez are putting their agility to good use as dancers.

"I want the kids to feel special," she says. "Everyone is involved. My goal is to have the parents come and see their child perform, and then, after they get home, hug their child and say they're proud of them."

Performing in a musical, Johnson says, can give children a confidence boost that carries over into other areas of their life.

"After doing the musical, they are better equipped to go into things like drama, choir, debate, music—anything that involves being in front of people," she says. "I hope to give them confidence and a sense of importance."

Fifth-grader Kimberly Piet, who has been in Schallenberger's musicals since kindergarten, has seen her self-esteem soar since she first started participating in this year's production. She is a featured soloist.

"I used to be nervous," she says. "I would want to miss rehearsals because I had stage fright. I think I was mostly afraid of having people see my every move. But I got over that."

And when Kimberly ran for school president this year, she says her experience performing helped her to deliver a speech in front of other students.

Millett's daughter Camilla also says she has noticed her confidence blossom since she first joined the cast. In addition to singing, the fifth-grader enjoys helping out backstage and making sure the production runs smoothly. Camilla says that helping Johnson do backstage preparation may ready her for a future career.

"I want to be a teacher or a librarian when I grow up, and if my category is music, I'll know how to teach better."

Millett says she is always impressed by the quality of the production.

"It's exciting, and really intense," she notes. "You feel like you are really going to the theater."