PENDLETON — Students at East Elementary School showed their musical and theatrical talents recently during a presentation of “The Music Man – Kids.”

Teachers Jodi Brown and Melissa Franklin, who have co-directed the school’s drama club for the past seven seasons, said when picking a show, they take several variables into consideration, including the popularity of the show.

“We always have a great turnout for auditions when we do something well- known, like Disney,” Brown said.

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However, this year the two educators decided to take a chance by putting on a classic with “The Music Man – Kids.”

To their surprise, more than 75 students auditioned for the show, and they cast 43 fourth- through sixth-graders.

The students did an excellent job at learning choreography and music in a short amount of time, the teachers said.

Sixth-grade cast member Bella Ritchey, a veteran in the drama club, played Gracie Shinn in the show.

She said she enjoyed performing and called the musical her favorite so far because of all the dancing.

Ritchey also enjoyed the interaction between all the cast members.

“Everybody is into it,” she said.

Student Alida Lewellen, who joined the drama club this year, played Eulalie Shinn; she said she, too, loved the experience and plans to continue in theater.

One reason the show was a success is the elementary drama club has partnered with Pendleton Heights High School drama club for its past six shows.

“The sets they create for us bring a unique experience to our students,” Brown said. “It also gives the high technical theater students an opportunity to work behind the scenes.”

East Elementary students also benefit from the engineering talents of Charlie Boren, who creates many set pieces for the high school drama department.

Without his help, the co-directors said, they would have been unable to complete a set in the short amount of time they were given.

“Working together as a community really helps our shows come to life,” Brown said.