By By JAMES COLLINS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- Some Niles High School students are spending a big chunk of their personal lives preparing for the school's annual spring musical.
Since Jan. 5, 42 students have been rehearsing nearly every day for an upcoming production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Rehearsals take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. every day after school and from 8 a.m. until noon every Saturday.
Timmons, who has been directing Niles High School's musicals for more than 10 years, said the students are even bringing the materials home to practice.
The group will continue its aggressive rehearsal schedules until the first show on March 6.
Timmons is a staff member of the St. Mary's College music department and is being assisted by high school music teacher Matt Hunckler, who is acting as the production's music director and former St. Mary's student Anne Marie Amicarelli Peacock, who is responsible for choreographing the performance.
Peacock has been participating as the school's choreographer for eight years now and enjoys every minute of it.
Timmons said she loves watching the young students progress from auditions, through rehearsals and to the polished, final performance.
Timmons said there are a number of factors to take into consideration when choosing a production for a high school cast.
Some of the most important considerations are the number of roles in the play and the range of those roles.
She said range is important to consider because a lot of productions are written for professionals, while the high school performances are compromised of students who are just learning the craft.
Timmons feels high school theater is an important tool for growth in the lives of the students participating.
She is excited by the resurgence of the Four Flags Players in Niles and sees it as another outlet for students to develop their talents.
Performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will take place on Saturday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 7 at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are available Monday through Friday in the Niles High School Vocal Music Department, room 63, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or can be purchased at the door prior to each performance.
Regular admission price is $7 with a special $5 price for senior citizens.