DECATUR - Build a stage, and they will come.

About 120 young people will spend Saturdays throughout the winter rehearsing for "Schoolhouse Rock Live" on the spacious stage of the Arts and Recreation Center, in a former auto showroom.

At their first rehearsal Saturday, the young actors began transforming themselves into their characters, guided by Marie Jagger-Taylor, the musical's director.

The players, ranging from first-graders to high school students, expressed their enthusiasm at having another opportunity to sing and dance and hear the laughter of people sitting beyond the footlights.

Ali Econie, a tall, articulate eighth-grader, was cast as a leading male character, George, partly because she can hit the low notes.

"I've played guys before, not on a regular basis," said Alie, a seasoned performer who began acting before she arrived in kindergarten. "My favorite two things to do are acting and writing."

Alie, who has appeared in numerous other Decatur Park District plays, especially enjoys transforming herself into various characters. She offered an insightful explanation of the therapeutic aspect of theater.

"It's really awesome to step into the shoes of another person and be someone you're not for a little while," Alie said. "If you're having a hard time at school, it helps you escape the pressures. If you are having a bad day, you get to go to rehearsal and get to be someone who is maybe having a good day. It makes you feel really good."

According to this theory, playing a nasty or depressed character might tend to bring an actor down, but Alie has discovered the opposite is true.

"It's still fun," Alie said, recalling a former role as a crazy, mean teacher. "It was still entertaining. It was a comedy role."

Madison Sphar, 11, a seasoned performer, said the best role of her career was as Amaryllis, the librarian's piano student in "Music Man," staged last year by Theater 7.

"I really like to dance and sing," Madison said. It was noticed that her voice can fill a room, a skill especially prized before actors were wired for sound. "They said I might not have to have a microphone."

Ten-year-old Brianna Bradley plans to spend a lot of time singing and dancing, for years to come.

"I love to express myself and be dramatic," Brianna said. "My dream is to be an actress or dancer, so I really enjoy it. I just love to be onstage.

Brianna said she appreciates having Jagger-Taylor as her director.

"She's just really good with people," Brianna said. "I've learned to be more open and less shy onstage. I really like working with her."

Madison Johnston, 12, said she is looking forward to working on "Schoolhouse Rock," especially because the script is based on a good idea.

"It was based off of a TV show, to help kids learn away from school," Madison said.

Jagger-Taylor said the play will teach the actors about U.S. history, arithmetic and astronomy, besides all the performing skills. The show will be presented to the public March 20 to 22.

"I love the script," Jagger-Taylor said. "It's a fun, lively show. I was looking for something to allow the younger kids a lot of the action and give the older kids an opportunity to blossom and bloom onstage."

hfreeman@herald-review.com|421-6985