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IRON COUNTY -- As local schools are forced to make more and more cuts to programs, many students are left looking for an outlet.  That’s where Laura Kagy and her Iron County drama group come in.

A little over a year ago, Laura Kagy saw a lack of drama opportunities for Iron County students.  So Kagy started her own drama group, open to all Iron County students.  A year later the group is rehearsing for its fourth musical, The South Pacific, and is drawing plenty of interest.

"It's been a big boom, I think, for the creative kids in high school who don't have an outlet at school to come together, sing, dance, act that they wouldn't otherwise have at school," said Laura Kagy. "Students involved in the performance range from ages 8 to 18, and even though the group has only been around for a little over a year, it already has become a staple of Iron County."

Tony Menucci is playing the lead in this weekend's performance, even though he joined the group with no acting experience.

"I figured I would support my friend and help out.  I guess I didn't really, I was like, it will be fun, but I don't think I understood how much fun it was actually going to be," said Tony Menucci.

And the community is beginning to recognize these talented students.

"I'll go into Iron River, I'll be in Crystal Falls and they'll say, 'Oh when's the next play?'  It's really one of the finest points of our community," Menucci said.

Kagy is excited to perform South Pacific and about the future of her group.

"I have a number of students who are pretty young, and they show a lot of potential, and I can't wait to see them grow.  So, yes, this is the beginning of more to come.  This is our biggest production.  I don't know how we're going to top this one, but we'll see,” Kagy said.

Performances for the South Pacific are June 11 and 12 at the Windsor Theater in Iron River and June 18 and 19 at the Crystal Theater in Crystal Falls.