Christel Swasey

Teenagers emit a lot of energy, and the combined vibe of 40 teenage actors creates a high-voltage stage presence.

The SCERA Youth Theatre's performance team, General Ruckus, was in its final week of rehearsals for the Disney musical "Mulan" -- and co-director Geoff Reynolds was dispensing myriad instructions.

"Let me see that! Punch across the body! A twist with a boom! Power! Purpose! Chest high! That's your third eye, where you communicate!" said Reynolds while directing "Mulan's" army in the song "I'll Make a Man Out of You."

Reynolds and co-director Cindy Winkel have a "divide-and-conquer" strategy. To harness the actors' energy and make the most of rehearsal hours, Reynolds works with half of the team, including Mulan, Mushu the Dragon, and the boy soldiers, while Winkel works with an all-girl army of Huns.

"It's so fun to watch them, their energy and happiness," Winkel said. "Their excitement and enthusiasm and talents are so much fun."

Elisa Thurber, a 14-year-old with a beautiful voice, plays Mulan. The very blonde Elisa dons a black wig and makeup to transform into the legendary Chinese girl who joins the male army and fights alongside Mushu the Dragon to save the Emperor from the invading Huns.

"It's been kind of stressful to learn the lines and songs," Thurber said. But she said she isn't nervous about opening night, despite the fact that it's her first leading role. "I'm just excited."

T'Naiha Ellis, 13, who plays Mushu the Dragon, said she plans to be a professional actress.

"Mushu is kind of like me," Ellis said. "He's not a real guardian. He's kind of wingin' it. He's got a lot of attitude. He likes to be in the spotlight."

Dominic Pasquale, 15, is "You," the King of the Rock. He describes himself as a tough guy.

"I can whip any of those pretty boys over there, both on and off the stage," Pasquale said.

He says that collaborative blocking "usually ends up working, but sometimes the director says, 'You guys, get your head out of the clouds.' "

"One of the things I like about the SCERA Youth Theatre is that every child gets an opportunity to do solo work," Reynolds said. "That's different from other youth theater groups."

Rather than double-casting roles, they give solo singing and dancing segments to individuals within group numbers, Reynolds said.

The junior high- and high school-aged singers, dancers and actors of General Ruckus re-audition each August for the chance to be part of the acting team, which lasts for one school year. Members of General Ruckus can advance to the more experienced Acting Up youth theater team, which tours in addition to performing locally.

General Ruckus will perform Disney's musical "Mulan" on Friday, Saturday and Monday at 7:30 p.m.