Ashville Middle School’s Bulldogs in the Spotlight production of  “Space Pirates” at Pell City’s Center for Education and Performance Arts on Friday May 3 at 6 p.m. is a must see!

This one act musical comedy features some of Ashville’s youngest performers. The ages range from 9-16. The production has an exciting and original plot featuring warring spacecrafts. It offers all the fun of a musical with many dance numbers, colorful costumes, and solos including a number, “So You Wanna be a Pirate” performed by Summer Swindall.

The overall theme is an important and relevant one: from insecurity and alienation to acceptance of self and others.

It begins with an ordinary class trip to a museum where we meet Gabby, (Sarah Crow), and see her being mercilessly teased by her classmates. Then, a spaceship accidentally beams the whole class aboard! Just when the class thought they had all the adventure they could hold, their vessel is captured by space pirates who want to steal all the earthly treasure from the aliens.

But this series of seemingly unfortunate and impossible events creates a situation that allow Gabby’s finer qualities and abilities to shine, winning her the approval of her peers. But more importantly, she learns to accept and be comfortable in herself. 

The production is choreographed by Melinda Crow and directed by Traci Mullins, an English teacher at Ashville MIddle School and veteran theater practitioner. It is a special arrangement by Beat by Beat Productions. Students are $5 and adults are $8 at the door.

The Bulldogs in the Spotlight have put on productions before, but this is their first one at CEPA as part of Spotlight, a countywide program designed to foster drama education program. Its mission is to encourage drama education and community participation. It is supported by several businesses and civic organizations in the St. Clair County area and is the brainchild of Jeff Thompson, Executive Director of CEPA, and Nicholas Kin, Associate Dean at Jefferson State Community College, Saint Clair, Pell City campus.

Leslie Gray Warren was hired as the director in January of 2017.. She has attended many rehearsals of  “Space Pirates.”

“They’re obviously having so much fun and it’s so wonderful to see them falling in love with the theater. That’s what it’s all about!” she said.