MADISON, Conn. (WTNH) — There’s a place for everyone on stage in Polson Middle School in Connecticut, where students can express themselves and meet new friends. NewsNation affiliate WTNH takes you to an all-inclusive after-school program in Madison.

“My character is Rachel. She’s very mean. Her friends are not mean, but they go along with it so they can fit in,” seventh-grader Eloise Mannix said.

With a big heart in real life, Mannix will tell you, that kindness makes this after-school program so special.

“Everybody includes everybody, so nobody makes fun of anybody. And you can just feel like you belong,” Mannix said.

The unified theatre program has a spot for everyone.

“Unified theater is a program that’s open to all the students in the school regardless of ability, skills, whether you’ve done theater before, whether you want to be on stage or work backstage,” Special Education Teacher Dawn Perrotti said.

The students write and produce their stage performances.

“We add music to it for the kids who want to sing, or we’ve had years where kids play the guitar in the beginning. So it takes in all their talents and abilities,” Perrotti said.

This is all happening after school, but there’s some real learning happening, which are skills, self-confidence, and even friendships.

One of their plays is about dealing with school bullies, a life lesson to take in. Although, in reality, they say there’s no drama in this club.

“I see people reaching out to students who are a little more isolated than others,” Perrotti said.

Perrotti feels it’s a true creative outlet for all students and a safe space to grow.

“I do feel better this year because I feel like I can cooperate better with other people,” seventh-grader Pharell Riodin

In December, the students will show a play they have been working on to their families.