Although The 5th Avenue Theatre’s professional production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Carousel” closed March 1, area youth from across Washington, including the Eastside, have been shadowing their mentors to perform their own show through The Rising Star Project.

The Rising Star Project’s “Carousel” kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Tickets may be purchased in person or at the box office by phone at (206) 625-1900 or online by visiting www.5thavenue.org.

Directed by Mathew Wright with choreography by Trina Mills and music direction by John Callahan, the young artists will be producing a Broadway caliber show in the same time as professionals would, but none of the directorial staff has any worries.

This year, seven students from the Eastside were selected to the orchestra, including trombonist William Ronneburg from Redmond High School (RHS).

“These musicians are all world class and it’s a privilege to play with them and learn from them,” Ronneburg said. “This is an opportunity we don’t get otherwise.”

Also from the Redmond area, Marisa Messina (Tesla STEM High School) and Carlisle Boyle (RHS) are producers and Erich Schleck (RHS) performs in the male singing and dancing ensemble.

“The students in The Rising Star Project are some of the most driven, passionate and intelligent young people I’ve ever met,” Wright said. “The growth they achieve over the course of this event goes so much further than learning a complicated dance step, how to fill a lyric with intention or how to play a scene with life and drive … it’s a kind of deep, personal growth that is hard to describe, but incredible to watch.”

The tuition-free program was created by The 5th for teenagers as a way to encourage a passion for the arts and give them access to those who have chosen the arts as their careers.

Each of the students was selected after auditioning or interviewing for their positions on the team, according to Bridget Summers, 5th Avenue’s communications manager.

She said most come directly from school to rehearse, prepare backstage and work in the administrative offices.

“The students not only experience the joy of performing and collaboration on one of the most beloved stages in the state, they learn professional responsibilities and essential life skills,” Summers said. “Through The Rising Star Project’s ‘Carousel,’ students are able to gain first-hand experience in the process of staging a full-scale musical with participation in all aspect of production; acting, dancing, singing, musicianship, stage management, technical crew, producing and even marketing and fundraising.”

For more information about The Rising Star Project, visit www.5thavenue.org/show/the-rising-star-project1. The theater is located at 1308 5th Ave., Seattle.