A new program kicking off this weekend is giving area high school theater students new experiences in putting on a theatrical production.
Students from Blair Oaks High School will perform "Wild Pink" today and Saturday at Shikles Auditorium, 1200 Linden Drive in Jefferson City.
Capital City Productions President Nate Grey said the group wanted to collaborate with schools that don't have access to a full working theater.
"We've had five schools contacting us wanting this opportunity," he said. "In this case, we called in our volunteers, and working with the school's drama teacher and the school administration, we were able to teach about how to do lighting, sound and set design. It gives them hands-on experience that they wouldn't normally have."
Grey said the students have been working at Shikles for a little more than two weeks.
Blair Oaks drama teacher Jennie Mayer said "Wild Pink" tells the story of a conspiracy between a dad and a great aunt to give some boys some money.
"However, they have told the boys that they have to dress up as girls in order to get the money," Mayer said. "It's a funny situation when the boys come out as girls.
"This is the type of production we've never done before. There's a lot of quick changes in the show, but I feel we need to challenge these kids to do that."
Mayer said they normally use a stage in the high school cafeteria, so performing in a full theater is "amazing."
"Being able to be on an actual stage like this is awesome," she said. "I've done this nine years and never been able to do something like this before."
Mayer said there are 35 students in the cast and crew for this production.
The show will be performed at 7 p.m. both nights. Tickets cost $8 and can be purchased at the door or by calling Capital City Productions at 573-681-9612.