Members of the Kings’ Jesters at Kings Glen Elementary School in Springfield, as well as staff and parents, have been preparing for the annual spring musical since November.

Now, it’s almost time for the group of fourth through sixth graders to perform “Annie Jr.” next week, March 18-20.

The play is directed by music teacher Ashton Streaving, who cast members say they love working with.

Fifth-grader Madalyn Wright, who says she hopes to become an actress and soccer player when she grows up, stars as Annie.

“I love playing Annie. She’s strong and sticks up for the other orphans. She’s tough,” Wright said.

Wright loves music and acting, and was excited to move to Virginia from Texas, where she says there weren’t any plays at her school for her to participate in.

“Acting and soccer are my life,” Wright said.

Carolina Vinas, a sixth-grader who plays Mrs. Hannigan, describes her character as a very “mean and cruel person.”

“She treats the orphans very badly,” Vinas said.

Gregory Hodges and Sofia Lorenzi, both in sixth grade, play Rooster and Lily. The group says they love performing the classic “Easy Street” together.

“My character also thinks she’s so pretty,” Lorenzi said.

Hodges said his character is “the bad guy.”

“He thinks he’s the king of the world,” Hodges said.

Oliver Warbucks is played by sixth-grader Max Jensen, who said he enjoys his character, who bosses people around.

Zoey Golabek, a sixth-grader, plays Grace Farrell, the secretary of Oliver Warbucks. Golabek has been singing since she was four, and loves her character.

“She’s very sophisticated,” Golabek said.

According to Wright and other students, they love working with Ms. Streaving.

“She is really great,” Wright said.

Wright said her entire soccer team, as well as a lot of her extended family, will be at the play.

Tickets for the performances, which are at 7 p.m. March 18-20 at Kings Glen Elementary School, are $4 in advance and $5 at the door.