OKEMOS - Okemos High School Theatre Department is fast approaching the premiere of their fall musical, Little Women.

"You know, I have been in education, I got my teaching degree, so my life has always balanced, interestingly, sometimes precariously, but importantly between my two loves, which is very much theatre and education," said Chad Badgero, director of Little Women.

"I love Chad, he's an awesome director. It's been great to work with him. This is such a cool opportunity," said Abby Ording, a member of the cast.

"There's just a rush that you get when you're up there," said Isabel Rodriguez, who plays the mother figure in Little Women.

"I mean, I wasn't cast in it, so being a part of it like this is such a great experience," said Frankie Nevin, the student director. "I've never done it before, so it's just an eye opener for what the stage manager does. "

"I really connect with my character, we share a lot of the same views, and it's really easy to express myself through her character because we are very similar," said Meghan Corbett, who plays Jo.

"It's a fun challenge to play something I'm not used to being," said Ashton Cooley.

"I've just come to love the feeling of being a part of a story that's completely different from my own life," said Okemos senior Kalina Hertafeld.

"It's a great thing, I really feel comfortable on the stage, I can freely express myself," said Corbett. "I feel it's where I'm meant to be"