For the first time in many years, the Little Theater at Martin Elementary School was brought back to life, thanks to the imagination, dedication, and hard work of more than 30 students in grades 6-8.
“The result was a magical production of ‘The Enchanted Bookshop’ by Todd Wallinger, but the journey to opening night began months earlier,” said Nicole Graham, Martin assistant principal.
The school’s Drama Club launched in the early fall with an interest meeting, followed by weekly gatherings designed to build both trust and foundational theater skills.
During these sessions, students explored stage terminology, expectations, and performance basics. Each week included warm-up exercises, dramatic monologues, and small-group scenes, along with improvisation activities that challenged students to think creatively and respond in the moment.
In December, “The Enchanted Bookshop” was selected as the club’s first production. Students were sent home with scripts over the holiday break, and auditions were held shortly after returning in January.
The audition process required students to perform in teams, pairs, and individually before roles were assigned. Some students were cast on stage, while others took on vital behind-the-scenes roles as crew members.
As the students worked to bring the production to opening night, teachers noted their growth and development.
“You can see the difference in the students before they took drama and after,” said agriculture teacher Alexis Davis. “Their confidence and maturity has grown so much!”
Rehearsals quickly intensified. What began as two days per week grew into four by March, with students expected to be fully memorized or “off book” after spring break. While challenging, students rose to the occasion.
As rehearsals progressed, the production began to take shape. A creative set was designed and assembled, with several pieces loaned by the Cumberland County Playhouse.
“Students were taught to navigate the evolving stage, transforming it into a whimsical bookshop filled with beloved literary characters,” Graham said. “Behind the scenes, crew members took on increasing responsibility, ensuring props, costumes, and set pieces were in place at the right time. All students developed a heightened awareness of space, timing, and teamwork — critical elements of a successful production.”
By “Tech Week,” students were running full rehearsals, sometimes multiples in one day. Dress rehearsals showcased a polished performance, leading the team to invite faculty and staff to a special “sneak peek” performance to help students manage pre-show nerves and fine-tune the production.
“The school play was beautifully put together, with each role seeming as though it was designed perfectly for the student who played it,” said Kim Stephens, Martin fifth-grade teacher. “Dr. [Chester] Goad worked tirelessly to prepare and guide every performer, and it truly showed in every scene.”
She added, “Students I never would have imagined stepping onto the stage were absolutely fantastic, shining with confidence and talent in ways that left us all amazed.”
The production itself was a true team effort. Teachers served in multiple roles — directing, producing, managing lights and sound, and assisting with makeup — while student interns gained hands-on experience in technical theater.
In addition to school-day performances and the faculty preview, two public shows drew packed audiences of parents, community members, and theater supporters. Graham said the excitement and pride in the room reflected months of dedication from staff and students alike.
Elisabeth and Tony Henry attended the final show May 2.
“It was a definite Playhouse experience,” they said, comparing the production to the acclaimed professional theater in Crossville. “The characters came to life before your eyes. The students put their personality into the characters, which made it more magical.”
Following the final performance on May 2, students participated in “Strike,” the traditional theater process of dismantling the set and putting away materials. It marked both the end of the show and a meaningful moment of closure as students said goodbye to the enchanted bookshop they had brought to life.
To celebrate their hard work, students were treated to a meal and participated in a special recognition.
The inaugural “ETC. Award for Excellence in Theater Commitment” was presented to seventh-grader Keaton Jones, who Graham said served as stage manager and demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout the production.
With a successful first show complete, Martin Elementary’s Drama Club has set the stage for what promises to be an exciting future.
“I’ve been asked if MES will see another production next year,” said Goad, Martin Elementary’s English language arts teacher and drama director. “The answer is I hate to see a stage go dark for too long when there are students who could be growing and learning and benefiting from it. Research strongly suggests that involvement in drama supports student achievement and growth in reading and other areas.”
The curtain may have closed on The Enchanted Bookshop, but the spirit of storytelling and performance is just getting started, with sixth-grade teacher Amanda Floyd summing up the transformative power of drama:
“I’ve watched these students emerge from their quiet cocoons and transform into flourishing butterflies!”