The curtains open in the Lewis-Palmer auditorium as sophomore Anna Lincoln prepares to take the stage in the fall musical, Oklahoma. After months of rehearsals, costume fittings, and sound checks, Lincoln blows the audience away with her acting, singing, and dancing skills on stage.

 Lincoln was not able to participate in the school musical last year due to the fact that she had a prior commitment to the Poms dance team. She was not able to participate in both activities, so she chose to stick to the dance team her freshman year. This year, however, Lincoln decided to switch roles and be part of the musical.

 “I didn’t get the opportunity to do the musical last year. I did it this year because it’s something I have loved for a very long time,” Lincoln said.

 She was unable to attend dance practice in the fall because she had rehearsal for the musical almost everyday after school. Lincoln gave up the opportunity to letter for the fall season of poms. Although she was unable to see her “poms family” for a few months, Lincoln made new friends and memories through the theatre program.

 “I got to see all of my theatre friends everyday, but it was really weird not being able to see my poms sisters everyday,” Lincoln said.

 It was a challenge to go from poms to theatre because the two activities are very different. While poms requires athleticism, spirit and cheering on the sports teams, theatre involves singing and acting. Despite this difficult switch, Lincoln was able to earn one of the lead roles in Oklahoma, Ado Annie.

 “It was a very fun experience because I was able to be someone I’m not, and I got to perform in front of a lot of people,” Lincoln said.

 Lincoln plans on continuing to participate in the musicals for the rest of her high school career.