Warren Rogers is a relative newcomer on the Whidbey Playhouse scene.

He’s the latest example of a timid teenager who joined the playhouse’s youth drama program and experienced a newfound comfort on stage.

He displayed that even while being kicked to the floor over and over Monday afternoon during rehearsals of “Beauty of the Beast Jr.,” which opens July 21.

Such is the price of playing the Beast.

“I’m perfectly fine,” said Rogers, 17, who guesses he tumbled 16 or 17 times in an attempt to perfect the scene.

“One of the first things they teach you here is how to fall where it’s not too painful.”

Dusting oneself off and trying again is all part of the education theater students have been receiving under Stan Thomas, who started the Would Be Players youth drama program at the Oak Harbor playhouse five years ago.

He’s proud to note that at least one of his young actors appeared onstage during all six shows of Whidbey Playhouse’s 2015-16 season. Sometimes, it was a handful.

The youth performers devote a good chunk of time to one major junior production each summer on the big stage. Rogers is in his first year performing with his peers.

“I’m loving every second of it,” he said.

He’s not alone.

Although the Broadway production dates back to 1994 and the animated feature film to 1991, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” still very much resonates with today’s youth.

Tatyana Moore, 17, is playing the lead role of Belle, a character she was enamored with as a young girl. She said she couldn’t even guess the number of times she watched the Disney film on VHS and later DVD. She has both versions.

“It was my favorite movie for a long time,” Moore said.

“She knew all the songs,” said Will Moore, her father. “I almost know all of the words of the songs, too.”

Such familiarity with the script has made Thomas’ life a little easier this summer.

As director, he oversees a cast of 44 that ranges in age from 7 to 17. He didn’t have to work too hard to sell the kids on this musical to get them interested in auditions in early June.

“You’ve got to get them to love the story,” Thomas said, pointing out the usual challenge. “The cool thing about ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is a lot of kids do know it and do love it.”

Eric George is serving as Thomas’ assistant director and helps maintain order with a young cast bursting with energy.

Thomas said his program isn’t just about teaching kids how to develop as actors, but how to grow as citizens. He’s impressed with how responsible the kids are who come to him and likes that he doesn’t have to deal with the egos that can accompany adult actors.

“I love to work with kids,” Thomas said.

Thomas said it’s magical to watch kids absorb the main messages from the production’s story lines then convey those messages to others.

“Not only are they learning from it, they’re teaching the audience,” Thomas said.

Another lesson the youth performers often learn is they’re bummed when the production is over. The last of eight performances for “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” will take place July 31.

Mason Scoggin, who will be a sophomore at Oak Harbor High School in the fall, said the production is a fun experience to fill his summer days – a sentiment echoed by Kyle Caporgno.

“Theater is what I do basically,” Caporgno said.

After the rest of the cast finished rehearsals Monday, Thomas kept the central characters onstage to work out the kinks during a key part in the play.

Thomas wanted to see Kenyon Sirak, who plays Gaston, express more aggression while he challenged the Beast. This resulted in several swift kicks to a bench that sent Rogers tumbling.

“He wanted me to be more dramatic,” said Sirak, 16, who would like to pursue theater in college.

“This is what I’m going for. I love to do anything theater-related.”

Beauty & the Beast

Tickets are on sale for “Beauty and the Beast Jr.,” which starts July 21 at the Whidbey Playhouse. The youth musical, which involves a cast of 44 kids from 7 to 17, is based on the 1994 Broadway production and Disney’s 1991 animated feature film. Stan Thomas is the show’s director. Thomas also is the director of the Would Be Players youth drama program at the playhouse. The musical will be performed July 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30 and 31. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows start at 7 p.m.; Sunday matinees are 2 p.m. The production lasts about 1 hours and 20 minutes. Tickets are $12 for adults and those 13 and older; $5 for 12 and under. Tickets are available at the box office or online through the website at www.whidbeyplayhouse.com.

The playhouse is located at 730 SE Midway Boulevard in Oak Harbor.