It is past 3:30 p.m. Feb 7.

Although the school day is technically over, the hallways of Willow Lane Elementary School are filled with children’s laughter.

Having had their snacks, students are heading to the gymnasium. It’s dress rehearsal time for the school play and The Press is invited to a sneak peek.

According to the play’s director Deb Campbell, over 80 participants lent their talents to this year’s school production, “Andromeda and the Imperial Trails.”

Among those who volunteered their time are a handful of students from Emmaus High School.

This is Campbell’s fifth year with the theater program.

At the end of the last school year, Campbell asked the students which kind of play would be of interest to them. The majority told her they wanted something with a Harry Potter or a Wednesday (of Addams Family fame) feel.

Campbell and her 15-year-old daughter Kenzi wrote “Andromeda and the Imperial Trials” based on the students’ interest.

The play “takes place in a town called Misthaven and the story centers around the school Crow’s Nest Academy, a school “imperials” (kids that possess magic) attend to learn their trade.

“There are four types of magic: Psychics, Elementals, Tinkerers or Esters,” Campbell explained.

She continued, “Each year, at the start of the school year, there is a competition called the Imperial Trials which takes place against competing schools.”

There is a back story as well about reporters getting the local news and reporting it.

Highlighting students’ individual talents, whether dancing or singing, was important to Campbell as well.

“The kids always blow me away with their talents and abilities,” she said.

As the students went through their lines one more time before opening night, everyone could feel their sense of pride of being ready to perform something special to family and friends.