LPHS theater students perform a number from the musical Six during a rehearsal on Wednesday, Sept. 25. (News photo — Grace McIntyre)

LAKE PLACID — The Lake Placid High School theater class will take to the stage Thursday night, Sept. 26 in their first performance of the season — a compilation of Broadway musical songs that give each student a chance to shine.

Vocal music teacher Taylor Prosper said his main goal with this style of show is to give more students a chance to play a major role.

“My goal is to give as many people as possible a taste of being a lead, a feeling of being in the spotlight,” he said.

This helps students learn how to audition and pushes them to grow in confidence as performers.

“This is putting me out of my comfort zone, but I’ve learned that that feels good,” said Ava White, an 11th grader who is participating in the group for the second year. “I feel like I can talk publicly, and I won’t get so scared.”

LPHS theater students perform a number from the musical Six during a rehearsal on Wednesday, Sept. 25. (News photo — Grace McIntyre)

During a rehearsal on Wednesday, Sept. 25, Ava had a wide smile on her face as she finished one of her numbers — “Grease Lightnin'” from “Grease” — in a dramatic pose. The program also includes songs from musicals such as “Six” and “Les Miserables.” There are group numbers and some of the seniors in the group will perform solo numbers.

Kiera Bouchard, also in 11th grade, said the community in the group makes him feel comfortable.

“I don’t feel out of my comfort zone, or made fun of, or put on the spot for not being the best singer in this group,” he said.

Ava agrees.

“In this group of theater kids, we all have a lot of fun putting together the show,” Ava said. “You don’t really feel left out and it’s just nice.”

The Broadway Showcase is the theater class’s first performance of the school year, and Prosper said it helps them build momentum and practice for shows later in the year. The students get their music for the showcase in June and audition for their roles before break starts. That way, they know their parts and can practice them over the summer.

The show will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Lake Placid Middle/High School auditorium. It is free to the public, but they will be accepting donations to support the middle/high school music program.

Kiera hopes to see people rocking out in the audience.

“I want to see people jamming in their seats, I want to see them vibing when we do songs like this,” he said. “You can’t be statues if you go to a fun performance. Have a little fun in your seats, I want to see it.”

This opportunity, or any opportunity, to perform helps students become more confident, Prosper said.

“It’s like public speaking on steroids. Speaking is one thing, but using your singing voice is so vulnerable,” he said. “So if they can learn how to do that, I like to think a lot of them feel like they can take on the world.”