Standing backstage, you can hear the audience talking as they take their seats. Sophomore Jacob Benson does vocal warm ups, like tongue twisters, before he goes out to perform.

“When your walking on the stage, at first it’s really nerve-wracking, but once you go out there it’s natural,” Benson said.

Benson has been in three plays: “The Secret Garden,” “Bright Blue Mailbox Suicide Note,” “Teenagers in Space,” and is currently performing in S.E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders”.

“The Outsiders” will run from March 7-11 at the Arts Live Theatre in Fayetteville. Tickets are $8 to attend the performance.

“My favorite part is the very first performance. Opening night has lots of energy and people perform better,” Benson said.

Benson got interested in theater when he went to watch his cousin perform “The Wiz.”

“I started doing plays because I had always been a fan of movies, and it couldn’t hurt to try acting,” Benson said.

Doing something you love can really change how you act and how you feel about yourself, especially if you have people supporting you. Benson’s parents and cousin support him because they enjoy the theater as well.

“I feel like I’ve become more confident because I’ve acted like a fool on stage,” Benson said.

Even though he loves doing plays, there are elements of challenge.

“My least favorite part is auditions, because of the high pressure, and I’m nervous about the competition,” said Benson.

Even though Benson hasn’t done a play at school, he plans to pursue theater and acting for the rest of his life.

“I definitely plan on making a career out of this, because I really can’t see myself doing anything else,” he said.

To purchase tickets, go to www.artslivetheater.com