NILES — Eastside Connections seventh grader Andrew Jackson is known by his teachers to be soft spoken in the classroom, but when performing his role as Pumba in “The Lion King,” Jackson’s shy demeanor slips away as he portrays the boisterous and lovable warthog.

Jackson is one of more than 50 students in the fifth through the eighth grade who have been hard at work preparing a production of “The Lion King.” The show will take place at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Eastside Connections, 315 N. 14th St. in Niles.

Special education teacher Megan Bartlett is directing the show, with the help of Paula Rose, the assistant director. Choir director Matt Hunckler has also helped to guide students through the production’s songs, some of which feature the Swahili language, which is used in the African Great Lakes region of the continent.

Bartlett said one of the most challenging aspects to the play was bringing the characters to life through costume. Fortunately, Bartlett said a number of parents stepped up and helped to craft costumes. Those in the audience can observe the long necks of giraffes built from cardboard, as well as homemade bird, elephant, gazelles and lion costumes.

“Last year we did ‘Elf Jr.’ and those are pretty basic costumes to find on our own,” Bartlett said. “But to find zebras and gazelles [is more difficult].”

The play is based on the Disney movie “The Lion King,” which follows the life of lion cub Simba, after he is cast from his lion pride. Simba believes he is responsible for the death of his father, Mufasa, and has run away from home. It is not until he meets some friendly jungle creatures named Timon and Pumba that he is convinced to return home and face his destiny.

Students practiced their parts in a dress rehearsal on Tuesday afternoon. Tapping on a drum with his fellow actors, Brandon Kosten waited for his stage cue. Kosten plays the role of grown up Simba. 

“I have to say that my favorite scene is the ‘Hakuna Matata,’” Kosten said. “I like that it is the transition from younger to older Simba and the first interaction with Pumba and Timon.”

Kosten said he has been participating in school production for the past three years. The productions have helped him to learn valuable acting skills that Kosten said he hopes to one day turn into an acting career.

As for Jackson, the seventh grader passionately enjoys his role and making the audience burst into laughter.

“I believe I’m going to do a good job,” Jackson said. “I am the funniest character in the whole show. When people laugh, it reminds me I am doing a good job.”

Before “The Lion King,” Jackson said he had never starred in a play before, but he wanted to change that when he heard about the most recent production’s auditions. With one production now under his belt, Jackson said he is considering also taking part in whatever the school’s next production might be.

Bartlett encouraged the community to support the students by watching the play and appreciating the hard work they had put into it.

“They have spent two months working on the music and the choreography and the props,” Bartlett said. “So, I just hope they appreciate that hard work. We are trying to build the arts in the district, so I hope they take this love from the show and carry it on into high school.”

Tickets cost $5, which will go towards the school’s art and music program. Bartlett said if more than $3,000 is raised, she hopes to take students on a field trip to see the production in Kalamazoo in April.