For the past six weeks middle school students from throughout Routt County have been working hard to bring “Annie Jr.” to life on the stage of the Steamboat Springs Middle School.

“We have a big group of kids,” said Kendra DeMicco-Lovins, the director. “We have a cast of 52 students, and seven students working on the technical (crew) — they’ve been an incredible, collaborative group.”

DeMicco-Lovins and music director James Knapp have been guiding the students through “Annie Jr.”  — a shortened version of the classic Broadway musical “Annie” adapted for middle-school performers. The story of the spirited orphan’s journey from inside a New York orphanage to a new life takes place in the 1930s.

“Annie is a classic story of courage, resilience and love overcoming. Some students had not heard of it before they joined the cast, so it’s fun to see them make it their own,” DeMicco-Lovins said of the show.

The middle school students from Steamboat Springs Middle School, Sleeping Giant, Steamboat Mountain School and North Routt Charter School were set to put on performances this week, at 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and at noon Saturday. As of Wednesday afternoon, tickets were no longer available for any of the shows.

The middle school puts on one show a year — typically a musical — in the fall. DeMicco-Lovins said one of the most incredible things about getting to do theater with middle school students is seeing them come alive throughout the process. The lessons for students go beyond the story being told on the stage.

“We see their courage build, their creativity flourish and their confidence grow. It’s special, fun and sometimes a chaotic process to be a part of,” DeMicco-Lovins said. “Theater, by its nature, is a collaborative art form — it provides such a great opportunity for kids to learn how to listen well, encourage one another and build something together. In the middle school theater program, we work hard to foster an atmosphere that encourages kids to grow their skills in working well together, being kind and encouraging to one another, and build their confidence as people and as performers. These kids have worked hard and have an incredible show to share with the community.”