“The Secret Garden” is coming to life at Village Theatre, even though the performances themselves are still weeks away.

Sammamish resident Sarah Uptagrafft, a 16-year-old who will be an Eastlake senior this fall, is playing the part of Rose. She’s performed the play before, although in a smaller role.

This time, Sarah said she’s looking forward to singing with three of her fellow performers.

“I really love quartet because it’s written with a lot of passion,” she said. “It portrays everyone’s motivation really well.”

Watching the 40 or so young actors and actresses at a recent rehearsal, their excitement about the production was evident. The group has been rehearsing since mid-June, and is now practicing together for more than four hours a week. During breaks, it was clear that the cast not only enjoys working together, but simply hanging out. Groups in the “offstage” areas were chatting, braiding hair, and reading over their parts together. One of the dreamers spent a break jumping, clicking his heels together.

Before the performances, the intensity and duration of rehearsals will increase further, said Suzie Cameron Bixler, director of this play and Youth Education manager for KIDSTAGE.

Each year, the SummerStock program comprises five programs, which are performed at the KIDSTAGE theatre, and one program at the Mainstage. “The Secret Garden” will run Aug. 1-10 on the Mainstage at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre.

In addition to the KidStage actors, nine members of the orchestra and nine members of the technical support program are kids, Bixler said.

Village Theatre has produced several versions of “The Secret Garden” in years prior. This production was spurred by the kids themselves.

“A year ago, I was sitting with a group of kids and asked what show do you want to do?” Bixler said. Many of the kids said they would love to do “The Secret Garden.” Some of them had seen the Mainstage production and others had heard the music soundtrack.

“The music is what’s special about this version,” Bixler said. “It’s such a lush score.”

The play is a bit different from the book, with a large group of people called the dreamers who move through the story with Mary until they’re sure that she’ll be all right, she said.

“It’s such a touching story. … As she finds the garden, her heart is unlocked as the garden is unlocked.”

The garden itself is represented by a set of moving trellises covered with silk plants that will grow more vivid as the garden comes to life. The set leaves much of the surroundings up to the audience’s imagination, Bixler said.

Rehearsing Act II last week, Katie Griffith — who plays the part of Mary — practiced going through the garden door for the first time and looking around in awe.

“I need a place to spend the day where no one says to go or stay,” she sang. “Where I can take my pen and draw the girl I mean to be.”

Bryan Sevener, 12, of Sammamish, said he’s participated in KidStage for a while but is particularly excited about playing the role of Colin in this production.

“I’ve always wanted a part that involved yelling because it seemed like a fun way to act,” said Bryan, who will be a seventh-grader at Renaissance School this fall. “The fact that Colin is so mysterious helps boost it along – what’s he going to do now?”

The other aspect he’s looking forward to is singing.

“I think the music for this show is really cool.”

For more information about KIDSTAGE or Village Theatre, or to purchase tickets, visit www.villagetheatre.org or call 257-8600.