Telesis students are poised to kick off an historical moment in the school’s history: its first musical.

It’s been fun,” said Grace-Ann Etcheberria-Jacobs, local theater manager and one of the school’s drama teachers. “The kids have enjoyed it. It hasn’t been easy. They have had to work really, really hard.”

The vast majority of the class’s 16 students act, sing and dance on stage in front of an audience beginning tonight. Telesis Preparatory Academy will perform an old theatrical version of “Sleeping Beauty.”

“We just couldn’t be more delighted,” said Sandy Breece, the Academy’s principal and founder. “It feels wonderful. This is also a production that younger (children) will enjoy. It’s an opportunity for parents to not have to get a babysitter.”

Jason Fallis, the school’s other drama teacher, said only two or three of the students have performed previously.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “It’s a first endeavor that Telesis has had for putting on a musical.”

The public charter school enrolled eight students into its inaugural drama class during the 2009-2010 school year and since doubled its enrollment. The students are in eighth through 12th grades.

Fallis said it “was a challenge” teaching students who had never performed a musical.

“This isn’t just for the sake of the performance,” he said. “This is a teaching opportunity.”

Fallis said the students had to learn basic character development, acting, vocal training and theater knowledge for the play.

“This is the first time most of those kids have ever been on an actual stage,” he said.

The teachers said the show is directed toward younger children.

“It’s a wonderful show to get kind of lost in for a bit,” Fallis said. “(For) children under 12, it’s a wonderful show to bring them out to and get lost in the program and see some characters that they are familiar with."