From behind-the-scenes, to being in the spotlight, 91原创鈥檚 Lauren Trotzuk has done it all.

In her latest performance, Trotzuk is taking centre stage as The Cat in the Hat in Seussical: The Musical, presented by the Fraser Valley Gilbert and Sullivan Society (FVGSS).

鈥淭he Cat in the Hat is really mischievous and likes to rock the boat just enough to see how much water gets in, and what falls out. The big thing is, the cat is not an unkind or mean person, but he likes to allow people to learn life lessons through a rockier path,鈥� explained Trotzuk.

Seussical: The Musical follows the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos. The other characters don鈥檛 hear the Whos, so they mock Horton for talking to a speck of dust.

Since the cat is a mischievous character, Trotzuk said that aspect adds to the challenge of the role.

鈥淚 think being able to show in your face, body, and voice, the real intention of all the mischief you鈥檙e committing,鈥� she added.

鈥淚鈥檓 a character actor, so for me, I鈥檓 always moving a lot, using different voices, trying to portray expressiveness as much as possible. For me it鈥檚 comfortable, and I get to be myself but to a higher degree.鈥�

Trotzuk, 24, graduated from D.W. Poppy Secondary, and has been teaching and performing in theatre throughout the Fraser Valley for the past seven years.

When she鈥檚 not performing, she teaches a variety of youth programs, including the theatre classes at the 91原创 Arts Council.

Theatre has been a part of Trotzuk鈥檚 life for as long as she can remember.

鈥淲hen I was a little kid we had a VHS of the 1998 movie production of Cats, so as a little kid, I鈥檇 always be singing.鈥�

Since The Cat in the Hat is such a popular character, Trotzuk admits she is feeling a bit of pressure.

鈥淒r. Seuss has created this character that has existed for so long, and that I hope will continue existing, especially for the kids of the future, so part of me wants to stick close to the original idea, but at the same point, as a performer you have to be able to inject yourself into your role and make it your own. I鈥檓 just doing my best and trying to have fun with it.鈥�

And Dr. Seuss is an author that Trotzuk grew up reading 鈥� especially the story titled The Sneetches.

鈥淢y mother has almost every single Dr. Seuss completely memorized,鈥� Trotzuk added.

One of Trotzuk鈥檚 favourite show moments is when the entire cast is on stage together dancing and singing.

鈥淭he strongest moment in Seussical is when you have the whole ensemble 鈥� there鈥檚 some pretty fantastic and talented people in the cast 鈥� so when you have them all together, you can feel the energy and life from everyone together.鈥�

Whether it鈥檚 acting on the stage, or teaching her students, Trotzuk said she loves both.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a part about performing where you can be the most authentic and true version of yourself, but there鈥檚 something incredibly satisfying about teaching and being able to share your passion with others and be able to give your knowledge to someone else and watch them learn and grow from it. I always gain a different experience from either of them.鈥�

Over the years, Trotzuk added the most important lesson she鈥檚 learned from theatre is 鈥渏ust be yourself.鈥�

Playing a supporting role in Seussical is 91原创鈥檚 Ahnika Barber, who is playing one of the Wickersham brothers.

鈥�Seussical is the first actual musical I鈥檝e been in. This has been a really different experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone, and it鈥檚 been really rewarding for me,鈥� she said.

Barber, 18, graduated from Walnut Grove Secondary last year, and plans on pursuing theatre at Capilano University next year.

She鈥檚 been singing and acting most of her life, and said she even went to a performing arts preschool when she was just three years old.

鈥淏eing on stage for me 鈥� I鈥檓 able to take everything that鈥檚 happening in the outside world and leave it at the door when I come in. So when I step into a rehearsal space or theatre space, it鈥檚 like I鈥檓 stepping into another person鈥檚 shoes and I get to be a completely different, open version of myself,鈥� Barber elaborated.

Barber said she loves Dr. Seuss, and after listening to the soundtrack, knew it was a show she needed to be in.

She referenced a Dr. Seuss quote, 鈥渁 person鈥檚 a person, no matter how small,鈥� as one of the most important things an audience can take away from the show.

鈥淚 think one of the main things about the show is, just because something is different, doesn鈥檛 mean it鈥檚 bad. Everybody deserves respect, and everybody deserves to be seen.鈥�

The show runs from Thursday, April 25, to May 5. For tickets and show-times, visit .

Seussical: The Musical plays at the Coast Capital Playhouse at 1532 Johnston Rd., in White Rock.