Annunciation, projection and dialogue are all key components of the language of theater. It's a language that helps performers deliver their message and connect with the audience.

The cast of "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" at Lancaster Mennonite High School (LMHS) is exploring the language of the theater and learning about communication in the process.

"I'm hoping they take some theater techniques away from this," said Katelyn Coryell, the director of "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," of her cast members. "I hope they grow as communicators, as effective collaborators and contributors to their community. I want them to understand the motivation behind the critiques. They're putting in significant amounts of time outside of our rehearsals just to understand the whys of the words they are saying. If the actors don't understand the words they're saying, the audience isn't going to get any of this."

LMHS will present its interpretation of Tom Stoppard's "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" on Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 7 to 9, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 10, at 3 p.m. at the school's High Fine Arts Center, 2176 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster. Tickets are available at http://www.lancastermennonite.org/fine-arts/drama, by calling the school's box office at 717-740-2456 or at the door prior to each performance.

The fall play is an estimated two and a half hours long including intermission.

"It's a retelling of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet,'" said Coryell. "The takeaway is, 'What impact are you leaving on the world?' I think (the students are) definitely taking it to heart."

"In my opinion, this play has been underappreciated," Coryell continued. "I wanted to provide the students with an opportunity to dig into elevated language and the whys of words."

The cast of "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" is made up of 15 LMHS students, including four seniors, a junior, two sophomores and eight freshmen. The cast is supported by a student stage manager and three student technicians.

Senior Kay Beidler plays the part of Guildenstern, and senior Zoey Groff performs as Rosencrantz.

"(The cast members) are some of the kindest people I've ever met," said Coryell. "They just have great hearts. Everyone has permission to fail, because if you don't, you won't try new things. They're very accepting of each other, and they pick each other up when they fall down."

"As a senior, there have been a couple times in this process where the other upperclassmen and I have had the opportunity to step up and help guide and lead a majority underclassmen cast," said Kay. "It's been so cool to get to know the freshmen and sophomores and see them grow. We laugh so much in rehearsal because this play is fun to watch and fun to be in, and I hope everyone who comes will have as great an experience with this show as I've had."

The cast's work on "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" began in late August, during the second week of school, with auditions. Since then, the student performers have been fine-tuning their trade for two hours after school, four times a week.

"These kids are working so hard on this," said Coryell. "This isn't like any theater they've done before. During the performances, they definitely experience nerves. But nerves can be a good thing because you're on your toes, aware and present. One of the joys of live theater is spontaneity."