The lights are dim but for a few spotlights on the stage, and actors in bright colors sing catchy songs that could easily be part of a TV singalong. This scene is every day in the PAC, and the actors are almost ready to perform their Children’s Theatre production, Honk Jr.

Children’s shows are unique from the plays or musicals in many ways, the most obvious of which is in the name.

“Children’s theatre is shorter, usually around an hour, whereas our other shows are a lot longer, around two and a half hours,” Sydney Mathis, senior and student advertiser, said. “We usually do TYA versions, which is theatre for young audiences [for Children’s Theatre]. It’s not meant to be performed by children, it’s meant to be performed by adults for children.”

But that is not there is more to the show than a younger target audience.

“Children’s theatre is entirely student led,” Mathis said. “There are student choreographers. We make up the dances at home and then have to teach them to [the] cast. There’s a student music director, Rachel Sobel [senior] and two student directors, Amelia Ablan and Emma Eklund [seniors]. McKenna Winkelmann [senior] is the choreographer this year.”

The show also features a different set of talents than the other shows. Whereas the more experienced actors tend to win roles in the plays or musicals, the Children’s show showcases the less experienced actors.

“What’s special is the underclassmen get a chance to be leads and everything,” Amelia Ablan, senior and student director, said. “[The directors] try to put more underclassmen in as roles and ensemble. It’s their chance to show themselves in the department, because a lot of times for the plays and musicals, the [upperclassmen] get more leads because the directors are familiar with them.”

This set-up benefits the younger students, Ablan said, giving them a way to get involved in the drama department.

“It gives them a chance to experience a musical,” Ablan said. “Remember, it’s a children’s show, it’s really fun. The numbers are cute. There’s more leadership positions that you can get involved in. You can be as creative as you want for Children’s [theatre].”

Those leadership positions can teach the students many different jobs they would otherwise not have a chance to experience.

“I think it’s a good thing because it teaches you how to actually have a position like that in the future,” Ablan said. “With this, you’re able to learn from your mistakes and teach other students how to do things. Students teaching students. It’s nice because you can learn a lot from that.”

It’s an important step for those who wish to continue on to the industry. Children’s theatre is a change of pace, and will be showcased this Friday through Sunday.