Henry Daily Herald

Jamie Ford, an eighth-grader at Locust Grove Middle School, performs as an understudy in the lead role of “Mulan,” during her school’s drama club production of the Disney classic.

They know their parts now. After seven months of rehearsals, performing the words and songs is second nature to the Locust Grove Middle School Drama Club.

“That was my favorite movie when I was 2 years old,” said Emily Starace.

The 11-year-old, a sixth-grader at Locust Grove Middle, has the lead, singing role of “Mulan” in the school’s musical adapted from the 1998 animated Disney film of the same name. The musical tells the story of an unlikely heroine who sets out to battle opposing forces.

“Basically, I’ve been preparing my whole life for this play,” said Starace. “My favorite part is when Mulan saves everybody from the Huns.”

“I like that it’s got some humor, and serious parts, and it’s not too far off from the movie,” added fellow sixth-grader, Hunter Mason. “It’s just really fun. For me, singing and drama are really fun.”

The students credit their musical instincts to past music teachers. For 11-year-old Hunter Mason, credit goes to her former teachers at Luella Elementary and New Hope Elementary schools. Starace gives credit to former teachers at East Lake Elementary.

In “Mulan,” Starace will share the soprano role with her understudy, eighth-grader Jamie Ford, who sang, Tuesday, during an exhibition performance for their middle school classmates.

The show is the first official production for the drama club at Locust Grove Middle, which opened in 2009, according to Hunter Mason’s mother, Tamie Mason, who is one of the show’s producers.

Tamie Mason, who teaches business and computer science at the school, said the drama club’s members took an active role in producing the show. She said students created their own backdrops and props.

The 70-member cast and crew of sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders are directed by the school’s drama teacher, Shelia Gatlin.

“It’s wonderful,” said Audrey Starace, Emily Starace’s mother. “I can’t get the smile off my face. They do a great job.”

The mother, also the school’s front office secretary, helped produce the show, and has attended several rehearsals. “I was very, very impressed,” she said. “I want the kids to have fun, first and foremost, and I want the audience to be engaged.”

Her daughter reiterated that the drama club is devoted to putting on a remarkable show. “It’s a whole bunch of work,” added Emily Starace. “I would encourage people to come out, because it’s got really funny scenes in it, and the music is really good.”

Performances continue today, in the gymnasium of the school, which is located at 3315 South Ola Road in Locust Grove. Start times are today, at 11 a.m., and 7 p.m., and Thursday, at 11 a.m., and 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for everyone, ages 5 and older. Mason said proceeds from this week’s shows will help support the school’s drama club.

To learn more, contact the school at (770) 957-6055, or visit the school’s web site at www.henry.k12.ga.us/lgm.