If the performing arts imitate life, then all the world's a stage.

Many of the challenges that Lititz Christian School (LCS) is facing in presenting its musical version of "Little Women" can be relatable in the real world. In some very meaningful ways, the performance is preparing LCS student actresses and actors for life beyond school.

"Theater is so important to try, at least once," said director Jenn Balmer. "It's challenging (the students) in so many ways. They're doing so many things at once in their brains. You're using your body, your facial expressions and your voice to express how you're feeling. It takes hard work. You're working to portray the story and you're also working with your co-actors. There's also a public speaking aspect to it. There are so many opportunities for growth in the theater."

Look for that growth to carry the performance when LCS stages the musical version of "Little Women" on Friday, April 26, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 27, at 7 p.m. at the Warwick Middle School auditorium, 401 Maple St., Lititz. Tickets are available at http://www.lititzchristian.net and also at the auditorium the nights of the shows.

"I want the students to feel that they are an important part of the story we are working on," said Balmer. "I want them to feel valued and loved. I want them to come away with just a little more self-confidence. It's so important for teens."

Some 25 LCS students, grades five through 12, are involved in the production of "Little Women" - 20 cast members and five students helping behind the scenes as stage managers. Balmer is one of four adults overseeing the operations.

The cast includes senior Afton Urquhart as Jo March, junior Larisa Horst as Meg March, freshman Rebekah Lapp as Beth March, junior Sarah Smith as Amy March, sophomore Ella Urquhart as Marmee March and senior Carter Wighaman as Professor Bhaer.

"Theater is a chance to express myself, and I love how it tells stories," said Afton. "The feeling you get from being on stage is a feeling you can't get anywhere else - an otherworldly feeling. I feel like even before finding out that 'Little Women' was a musical, I felt I always related to Jo and loved her. I love her fieriness and the fact that she goes out and chases her dreams. Playing her on stage inspires me to be myself and to chase my dreams."

"While there are romantic interests in the play, the true love story is between the sisters," said Balmer. "We talk about one of Jo's quotes in 'Little Women,' 'Sometimes when you dream your dream comes true.' That's what we're going for. We're dreaming big in a lot of ways. We're putting this show on to bring the community together."

Work on "Little Women" began in January with casting, and the students have been working hard for an hour or two every day over the last three-plus months. In the week leading up to the performances, the cast and crew will take their rehearsals to the Warwick Middle School stage.

"In that final week, there's a lot of positive energy going around, a lot of excitement and definitely some nerves," said Balmer. "When you build a community, you can lean on each other. It's about working hard and working together so that nervous energy doesn't overtake us. As a Christian school, there's a lot of prayer going on. We talk about why we do this, and it's to glorify the Lord."