The creative team at Shreveport’s Stage Center is in the midst of a busy summer. They’ve just come off their summer camp with its productions of “Mulan” and “Seussical, the Musical,” and now they are deep into rehearsals for the upcoming production of “A Chorus Line.”

As if that weren’t enough work to do, Artistic Director Jared Watson is also in “A Chorus Line.” However, it’s a role he’s familiar with, the director of the show.

“So, my character sits out in the house in the dark and talks into a microphone to these people auditioning on the stage. So, yes, I’m technically in the show, but really I’m just the person who’s [moving the story along] on stage. I’m asking them questions, they answer, and that’s how the story takes place.

To remind you, “A Chorus Line” tells the story of 17 aspiring dancers who are auditioning for a role in an upcoming Broadway production. The director, Zach Watson, is trying to put together a core of four men and four women dancers for his show. To help him make the decision, he asks the candidates to tell their personal stories. Those stories give the audience a glimpse of each personality as the candidates describe how they came to be auditioning for the chorus.

The musical with music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban and book by James Kirkwood, Jr. and Nicholas Dante, opened July 25, 1975 at the Shubert Theatre. It ran for 6,137 performances and was the longest running show in history until it was eclipsed by “Cats” in 1977. It still ranks as one of the top 10 longest running Broadway shows. It was a critical hit as well and garnered 12 Tony Award nominations, won nine, and received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1976.

All of those statistics are fairly well-known, and Watson understands that audiences expect big things out of any troupe who tackles this show.

“I think [the cast knows] that the show is a challenge and that people are looking at us to see if we can really pull this off. So, everybody’s putting in the work to make sure that they’ve got it,” he said.

It is a unique experience for the director who gets to play an active role in this production. Usually, the director sits back like an audience member and often takes notes to help actors improve for their next performance. Watson said directing and being in the show is not something he’d like to try from on stage.

“I think it would be different if I were on stage the whole time, because I don’t think I would be comfortable doing that. I’m in the house, way away from them, and I’m taking my own little notes to give after [the performance]. Even within the show, he gives notes. He tells them don’t pop your head, higher on the leg.”

He said he doubted the audience would be the wiser if he were to start giving “live” notes to his real actors during a performance. As long as he remembered to give the on-stage people their proper cues.

“The bigger challenge for me on this show has been the amount of dancing. I haven’t done a show in, maybe ever as a director since 2006, that has as much consistent dancing,” Watson said. “I mean it’s every number, and people are moving around the stage. It’s exciting, and I’m losing a lot of weight because I’m up on my feet every day, which is great. We’re really sweating. It’s been a while since I’ve had to do that.”

Besides directing and acting in the show, Watson is working with several of his former acting students who are also in the cast. He’s also using all five of the choreographers he’s used since he started directing for Stage Center in the chorus. There should be no excuses for missteps in this one.

The production will be staged at the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse on the campus of Centenary College in Shreveport. Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $15 for students and children. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. July 24, 25, 31, and Aug. 1 and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. July 26 and Aug. 2. Tickets can be purchased online at www.stagecenterla. com/buy-tickets, or by calling 218-9978.

Watson and Stage Center are hoping for one singular sensation with “A Chorus Line.”