BILLINGS - We've all had it at one time in our life, stage fright. The program, Venture into Schools, is eradicating stage fright in young students, by putting them on stage.
Students from Orchard Elementary have just two weeks to learn their lines, get into character, and get over their fear.
"I get stage fright," said fifth grader Esparanza Gonzales.
'Venture into Schools ' helps kids get over their stage fright by building confidence and self esteem through performance.
"You’ll see this student at an audition and he or she is not talking, they're maybe in a corner and then by the end of rehearsal, they've made all these friends," said Sarah Butts of Venture Theatre.
Venture into Schools works with the Junior League of Billings and targets Title One schools. The performances, including costumes, instruction and the set is brought to the schools and students free of charge.
"I am really excited for it. This is my first time being in a play and it’s going to be something new" said Riley Madsen, fifth grader at Orchard Elementary.
About 30 fourth through sixth graders from Orchard Elementary will be performing in the Adventures of Lewis and Clark Friday, and most are enthusiastic about their characters.
"I play Cassie, she's the person who imagines them first, but then they come to real life," said Gonzales.
"I play Thomas Jefferson and I get a job to send Lewis and Clark out on an expedition," said Madsen.
And many more are enthusiastic about their dancing. The students will be performing "The Adventures of Lewis and Clark" Friday at Orchard Elementary School. This will be the last year the Junior League will help to fund this program. Next year, Venture into Schools will depend on community support to stay alive.