Lily Wacha as Jo; Almendra Ramirez as Marmee; Peyton Van De Walle as Meg; Maddalyn Brown as Beth; and Madeline Paxton as Amy. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Places, lights, curtains, and away we go. Next week, the STC high school cast of this year’s play will whisk you away back to the 1800s to tell you the story of the March sisters. ‘Little Women’ is the production in question; the story, originally written by Louisa May Alcott in 1868, has since been adapted into a play.

STC Theater Director Dixie Forcht explained her decision on why she chose the 2024 production.

“Of all the plays I read this summer, this adaptation by Thomas Hischak of Little Women moved me to tears,” she said.

The play has 40 students involved in production, from onstage involvement to technical and costume crew. Sixteen women and five men make up the main cast, including five middle school girls acting side by side with the high schoolers.

Roles for middle schoolers in high school productions are rather new for STC. Starting only a few years ago after Mrs. McFate, the Fall Musical Director, cast a middle schooler in the production of ‘Freaky Friday.’

The cast has been rehearsing since late January and is ready to show the community what they have. The show premieres on Thursday, April 4 at 7 p.m. Other show times are Friday, April 5, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 6, with a matinee at 2 p.m. and a final show at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults. All showings will be at the Wieting Theater.

Show up and be blown away.