New London — For some, word that an elementary school is planning a show is likely to conjure images of students haphazardly shuffling onto a gymnatorium stage with proud parents looking on from uncomfortable collapsible chairs.

Fourth- and fifth-graders from Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School in New London have raised the bar.

Students on Wednesday were busy singing and dancing in a final dress rehearsal of a full-scale production of "Seussical Kids" at the Garde Arts Center on State Street. The free show — which features Horton and other characters from popular children's books by Dr. Seuss — is showing Friday and Saturday.

The young actors appeared undaunted by the fact that the Garde seats 1,200 people and has hosted such world-renowned acts as Bob Dylan and The London Symphony Orchestra.

“What they tell us is different people, other people who are famous, have been here on this stage,” said fifth-grader Emily Sullivan, who plays Mrs. Mayor. “It feels pretty cool. It’s like everything is coming together.”

Nathan Hale teacher Jennifer Dowker, producer for the musical, said it’s the third year the school is staging a musical and the second at the Garde, made possible with a partnership with the Garde and a generous $10,000 donation from the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.

“It’s a really big deal,” Dowler said. “When you teach kids how to be professionals, hold them to high expectations, they rise to the occasion.”

Dowker credited Nathan Hale Principal Carlos X. Leal and the Garde for sharing the vision that everyone should have access to the arts and theater.

The kids' energetic production of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" last year was the first time an elementary school had staged such a show at the Garde. It wasn’t without some glitches — Violet Beauregarde’s blueberry suit failed to fully inflate — but Dowker said that is the nature of live theater and the kids had a blast.

Having had the experience of one show behind them, the older students now are helping to mentor their younger peers.

More than 70 students, all of whom auditioned and have been rehearsing since November, will take to the stage during the show this year, while others work behind the scenes on some of the technical aspects of the production. Dowker joked that few theaters would allow an 11-year-old to handle a $30,000 light board.

During a break from rehearsal but still in character, Yira Colon-Brito broke into song, humming “a person’s a person no matter how small ...” The 10-year-old is one of the stars of the show and plays Horton, an innocent, lumbering elephant from "Horton Hears a Who." She admitted it was a little scary to be the focus in such a big theater but said she gained experience in a minor role as a squirrel last year.

Lily Perez, 9, who plays Jojo, said she was excited and the experience will help her along in her quest to become an “actor, scripter, illustrator or author.”

Garde Executive Director Steve Sigel said the theater is closely intertwined with the youth in the community and the region. The Garde was at one time the site of the New London school district’s plan for an arts magnet downtown campus. Those plans never came to fruition but Sigel said the ties remain and the Garde will continue to be a resource for the arts program.

“We’ve always had a very active educational component,” Sigel said. “We’re most successful when we are contacted by the faculty of the various schools who understand the importance of what we can do together. We like to be creative and offer the schools an opportunity to get out of their own box and come to our box. With the initiative and support of school administration, all kinds of things can happen.”

Just one example of the many ways a theater can enrich education is a visit by cast members of the U.S. tour of "STOMP," who gave a master class in percussion to a group of students from ISAAC and Nathan Hale as part of a workshop arranged by the Garde in January. "STOMP" was performing at the Garde at the time.

Sigel credited Nathan Hale for having the autonomy “to be creative and collaborative as part of the school mission."

“What they are doing is unusual — an elementary school mounting a full-staged musical,” he said.

This weekend’s performance is directed by theatre teacher Bryan Dawidowicz, with music directed by music teacher Lisa Marien and choreographed by dance teacher Sara Kessler.

“The show celebrates every child’s inherent creativity and value. We are so proud of our students for their teamwork, dedication, and courage to shine,” Leal said.

The show is free and being staged at 7 p.m. Friday and 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Seats can be reserved online ahead of time by visiting bit.ly/NLSeussical and selecting the show and seats.

g.smith@theday.com