While most of their classmates are boarding buses and climbing into their parents' cars to go home, a group of second- and third-graders at Emerson Elementary gather in the school's cafeteria to rehearse scripts and practice dancing the Charleston.

After school on Monday through Thursday, the cafeteria transforms into an actor's studio for pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students.

The group, the Emerson Players, was formed five years ago by first-grade teacher Dawn Mugar.

''We have three shows a year. All of the shows are thematic and are educational for the students to see,'' Mugar said.

The initial show of each year follows a more traditional pattern, while the second is an improvisational comedy, written by the fourth- and fifth-grade students, and the last is modeled after a Broadway musical.

The students ''do the whole production; the children are taught all the stage techniques, not just acting and dancing,'' said Rosalind Castle, assistant principal for community education at Emerson.

Mugar gives instruction on all aspects of drama, including backstage and technical work.

''The fourth- and fifth-graders are highly involved with the plays,'' Mugar said. ``There is a stage manager and other students who are in charge of lights and sets.''

Although the younger students don't participate in the technical portions of the plays, Mugar engages them by teaching all dance genres, as well as through creative projects like decorating character masks.

''We've learned ballet, disco, and old-time dances like the Charleston,'' said Sheila Hernandez, 8. ``If we weren't in drama, we would be in day care, and that's really boring.''

The after-school class is part of the community school at Emerson Elementary and costs $30 a month.

''I think drama is a good thing to incorporate into a community school program,'' Mugar said. ``It creates a lot of enthusiasm toward school and gives the students a focus to enjoy school.''

Mugar frequently uses drama to enforce reading lessons in her classroom, which she believes results in better reading comprehension among her students and the Emerson Players.

However, the self-esteem and social skills that are built are often the most rewarding results for the students.

''The core is [Mugar's] incredible interpersonal relationship with each child, and her ability to see something special in each child,'' Castle said. ``Everyone's self-esteem is elevated so they can grow and feel good about themselves.''

Mugar passes her love for acting onto her group of young stars, evident in the plays that have encouraged involvement from not only the students but from parents, former students and other members of the community.

''If we want to grow up to be movie stars,'' said 8-year-old player Hailey Guerra, ``then we will already have experience.''