For six weeks in January and February, almost 50 LakeHighlands area 7^th-12^th graders came together to learnlines, songs, and dance steps for the 33^rd annual Lake HighlandsUnited Methodist Church musical production, Bye Bye Birdie. Another 20 hung lights, ran cable, slicked hair, andpowdered noses as members of the tech crew.  Artists of Christian Talent (ACT), a youth ministry ofLHUMC, was begun 32 years ago by LHUMC member Jeri Johnston to provide an opportunityfor junior high and high school students, who otherwise might not be able toperform in front of a live audience, to be on stage and to let their talentsshine. Every winter since 1976, between 50 and 80 students from LHUMC and thesurrounding LH community have come together to stage a Broadway-style musicalwhich never fails to delight the audience, and the 2008 show was noexception.  All five performanceswere sell-outs. “I had so much fun seeing and performing for a different crowdeach night, and smiling at people who I can tell are enjoying the show,” saidLHHS senior Paige Rommel.

Dallas actor Kent Williams directed Bye Bye Birdie, his sixth ACT production.  Former professional actress and dancer and current LH momJill Mackie Rommel joined Kent as choreographer, and LHHS graduates AustinEngel and Hannah Payne served as music directors. “The directors gave up somuch of their time to help us crazy kids, and I’m sure a lot of the time wewere less than fun to work with. Still, they stuck it out, through weeks ofrehearsals, and gave their jobs 100%,” said LHHS senior Ryan Fusella.

Five weeks of intense rehearsals allowed the teenage actorsto interact with other kids, many of whom they didn’t know before, in apositive and safe environment. “The best part of ACT is hanging out with kidsyou normally wouldn’t,” said LHHS senior Stephanie Turner. Many ACT alumni saythat participation in ACT remains one of their favorite high schoolexperiences. LHHS senior Claire Daniels said, “Being able to spend time withkids of all ages and watching them grow as actors, people, and Christians is myfavorite part of ACT.” Besides the talented teenagers, over 40 adult volunteersput in many hours building sets, gathering props, making costumes, designing theprogram, and helping in many other ways to create a memorable show. All thehard work paid off in the five lively and colorful performances that werepresented the weekends of February 15 and 22. LHHS senior Laura Mullinscommented, “I just love to watch everyone at the performances, because afterall the rehearsals, loads of homework, and sleepless nights, every personforgets all of that and just steps up to make the show great.  It’s really cool.”