Dancing, singing and wielding props – Libby Middle School students have been rehearsing since December to present the musical production of “Sleeping Beauty” next week at the Memorial Center.

Though the actors and choice of production changes with each year, director Brenda Swanson, musical director Diane Rewerts and choreographer Julie Wedel have kept on through the program’s nine years.

“Listen to your cues!” Wedel calls out during a Wednesday afternoon rehearsal.

The fourth- through eighth-grade students illustrate varying levels of attention during rehearsals, which are three afternoons per week.

It’s tough enough for the over 40 middle-school students to always be focused and to memorize all of their lines and movements, but the group must also deal with absences due to illness.

“But it always turns out even if you think it’s not going to,” Rewerts says.

Like most fairy tales, “Sleeping Beauty” will be comprised of a queen, king, prince and princess, as well as forest animals, fairies, goons, magic and a little wickedness.

The performance will be held Thursday, Feb. 4 and Friday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Memorial Center. Tickets cost $5 and are available at LMS, Cabinet Books and Music, the Libby Area Chamber of Commerce and the Printing Press.