NATCHEZ &8212; It definitely can be a hard-knock life.

But in a room filled with 30 energetic middle school students patiently waiting on their part to come in the production rehearsal of &8220;Annie,&8221; you would never know it.

Since the play practices began in February, Robert Lewis Middle School students have stayed every day after school to prepare for the Wednesday production.

The play, which will begin at 7 p.m., offers a portrayal of the classic story by a group of students that simply love to act.

&8220;I&8217;m very dramatic and I have been known as a drama queen all my life,&8221; said Stacy Landers, who is playing the role of Miss Hannigan. &8220;I love acting and this part is my thing.&8221;

The students all look forward to participating in the play as an extra-curricular activity, Principal Bettye Bell said.

&8220;I look forward to having a fulltime drama club,&8221; Bell said.

&8220;Drama can be used to excite the kids and some would let their grades slip and have disciplinary problems if they didn&8217;t have this.&8221;

&8220;It&8217;s a great opportunity for

me and my acting and singing career,&8221; said Lauren Mayberry, who is playing the

role of an orphan. &8220;I love to act and sing, so I figured, hey why not start in junior high.&8221;

Teacher William &8220;Buddy&8221; Givens is playing the role of Daddy Warbucks, and said he also had fun with the rehearsals.

&8220;This is a great group of kids and Ms. (Darlene) McCune has made a lot of sacrifices to make this work,&8221; Givens said. &8220;Also being on stage makes you have your stuff together.&8221;

Drama sponsor and choir director at RLMS Darlene McCune said choosing &8220;Annie&8221; was an obvious decision.

&8220;We were going to go with &8220;Guys and Dolls&8221; actually, but we had too many girls,&8221; McCune said. &8220;All in all we have an extremely talented group of kids who really deserve to learn about theatre and see acting as an option.&8221;

The reasons the students have for participating in the play come in all forms, but having fun while improving their skills was the most popular idea.

&8220;I wanted to do something with my time that was constructive so my momma would be proud of me,&8221; said Keyana Hayes, who is playing the role of an orphan.

The play will be in the RLMS cafeteria and tickets are $5 for adults and

children 8 and under get in free. McCune said tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling RLMS at 601-445-2926.

&8220;I think it will be good, fun entertainment for everyone &8212; and I&8217;m in the play,&8221; said Monica Nettles, who is playing the

role of an orphan.