When the spring musical, Free To Be You and Me, opened last night, not only was Wenatchee High School’s acting talent displayed for audiences, but also students’ work in set design, costuming, and directing.

“It’s a student-run production,” Director Paul Atwood said. “It’s been a great experience; a lot of the seniors have taken the bull by the horn. I just have to advise and choreograph.”

Putting on a smaller production compared to last fall’s choral department musical Hairspray, Producer Jill Sheets said the Drama Club has given the 40 cast members more responsibility. For instance, senior Oscar Valencia designed the set and actors went out and got their own costumes.

“We are trying to let students handle it as much as they can,” Sheets said. “It is a good way for them to learn, so when the bigger shows come they can help on those; they have experience.”

Besides the actors, the audience is also meant to grow from the show.

“It’s based on a book, and each chapter is teaching you different things. It’s a whole lot of different songs and scenes that teach life lessons,” senior Devan McAllister said. “It’s a lot more lighthearted and fun. Whereas with the other [productions] we talk about the heavy topics and they are more angled to an older, more mature audience, this one goes towards elementary school kids, and we do a lot of happy, helping, and friends.”

As the name suggests, one of the musical’s lessons is about being comfortable in one’s own skin. “[The musical] is good for those people trying to accept themselves for being different,” sophomore Taylor Street, who plays William, said.

Having more than 10 songs, the musical is a series of stories split into different scenes,  freshman Daniel Cassiano, who plays Zachary Zug and father, said. Seniors Maddy Atwood and Josey Meats play the two main babies, though the show has no lead roles, so most cast members, like Cassiano, have more than one part.

“There are a lot of new, upcoming freshmen who have joined this year, and it’s been cool to mentor them, see them grow, and hopefully see them next year be amazing,” McAllister said.

Shows continue through Saturday, each night at 7 p.m., with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults and can be purchased at Pak-It-Rite, or at the door.

Additionally, Sheets said there will be an exclusive showing to elementary schools on March 23.

“The last two weeks before [production] you never feel ready; as you get closer you start to realize all the things that have to be done. That’s when it kicks into gear,” Sheets said. “But it will be fun. I mean, we have dancing babies; who doesn’t love dancing babies?”