Much work has gone into the Freeport Middle School production of “Cinderella,” which will be staged in two shows on Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Freeport Performing Arts Center.

Jill Hooper, the school’s drama coach and librarian, began rehearsals with students at the beginning of November. Parents will be busy the day of the show, selling tickets and running concession tables. And to ensure a first-class presentation, a dance coach went into the school every Friday to teach the actors how to dance. Freeport Middle School gets one shot a year at a Freeport Performing Arts Center show, and all involved want to make it a good one.

“The kids have been taking it really seriously,” Hooper said. “We even recruited a few more boys for the cast because we needed them for the dance team. Students in the ballroom scenes have been taking ballroom dancing lessons.”

Betsy Haskell, owner of Maine Dance and Fitness of Topsham, went into the school every Friday to teach the ballroom dance lessons. Haskell, too, was impressed by the students’ eagerness to learn.

“By the second class, the kids had been practicing at home,” Haskell said. “That’s extremely unique for kids that age to be that dedicated. They had learned the basic box step. It was like, ‘boom.’ What a group of kids.”

Haskell said that schools are seeing more value in bringing in outside help for such ventures as a play.

“Sometimes,” she said, “it’s really nice to bring in an expert from the outside. Jill thought that having the kids do the waltz brings a whole other element to the show. Otherwise, it’s the ‘high school sway,’ with kids just going side to side with hands on the other’s shoulders. It takes it from the high school sway and turns it into art.”

Haskell said it was nice to see boys willing to take part in dance rehearsals.

“Boys need to get over the cultural hump, that dance is not just for girls,” she said.

Hooper said her life has been consumed with “Cinderella” – just like the students.

“It’s a very big deal,” she said. “We’ve got 50 kids involved in the show, between actors and the crew.”

Freeport High School student Ethan Pierce has attended rehearsals, helping with the technical end.

“I couldn’t do it without him,” Hooper said. “I’m sad that he’s a senior.”

Hooper said she chose “Cinderella” for the yearly Freeport Middle School play, in part because it keeps everyone involved.

“I like shows where the characters are present throughout the show, even if the character is considered minor,” she said.

Eighth-grader Bella St.Cyr will play the lead part. St. Cyr makes a good Cinderella, Hooper said, because she has “a spark about her.” And she has the right personality.

“She is a kind, sweet soul who just radiates,” Hooper said. “She just glows as Cinderella. She’s the kind of kid who just does anything you ask of her.”

Hooper said that Matthew Butler, a sixth-grader, is taking his role as the prince – including the dancing – seriously. Butler has a “stately air” to his voice, she said.

Caroline Doyle, an eighth-grader, has the strong character needed to play the stepmother, Hooper said.

“In this show, the stepmother isn’t necessarily as evil as some portrayals, but Caroline plays the evil well,” Hooper said.

Hall Parker is the king and Siham Mohamed is the queen. Both are eighth-graders.

Hooper said that the two shows, at 2 and 7 p.m., will last approximately two hours, including intermission.

A closer look

The play “Cinderella,” will be performed by Freeport Middle School students on Saturday, Jan. 30, at 2 and 7 p.m., at the Freeport Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $5, at the door.

Freeport Middle School students rehearse at the Freeport Performing Arts Center for their production this Saturday of “Cinderella.” From left are Anna Whalen, Bella St. Cyr, Emily Sclar and Caroline Doyle.