In rehearsal for No Refund Theatre's The Velveteen Rabbit things can get a little off track.

Ten-year-old Aileen McKinstry writes on the blackboard while Nathan, her younger brother, shoots rubber bands across the room. At the same time, a fellow 10-year-old co-star, Lauren Davis, answers her cell phone.

Though things get a little hectic, The Velveteen Rabbit, a tale of a stuffed rabbit's dream of becoming a real bunny, wouldn't be successful without the ensemble of child actors participating, said Morgan Pfeiffer (sophomore-wildlife and fisheries sciences), the director for the show.

The classic children's tale is an interactive show scheduled this weekend specifically to benefit the multitude of children and families visiting campus this weekend for the Interfraternity Council /Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

Pfeiffer said the show has a similar storyline to Toy Story, in which toys come alive. However, the 1922 story of The Velveteen Rabbit features toys singing and dancing.

"There is lots of audience participation," Pfeiffer said as the cast rehearsed a number that asks the audience to join in.

Aileen McKinstry, who plays the Toy Soldier, stood straight and posed with her hands folded in front of her as she said, "It's a rather nice story." She said her character loves to tease the new toys, but especially dislikes the Skin Horse.

"He gets on my nerves," McKinstry said.

McKinstry said she loves working with everyone, but rolled her eyes and laughed when explaining how it is to work with her younger brother, Nathan, who plays the little toy owner.

"He plays his bratty, spoiled role very well," she said. "Although he could never get away with sassing our parents like he sasses his nana in the show."

A cast filled with children may seem like a daunting task, but Nicole Wells (freshman-therapeutic recreation) said the kids bring new energy to rehearsal.

"They teach us fun hand games," Wells said and then in rapid fire demonstrated the "llama" rhyme, a hand clap warm-up the children do in the beginning of rehearsals.

Wells said she is excited to perform with and for kids.

"I don't get to see kids around campus a lot," she said. "I mean, unless they are on a rope."

Wells, who plays the Velveteen Rabbit, admits she was fairly unfamiliar with the story.

"I kinda had to Google it," she said.

But she quickly fell into the role, embodying a stuffed rabbit with her quiet voice and toy-like movements. She said her favorite part about playing the rabbit is its attitude.

"I like the fact that the rabbit is optimistic," Wells said. "Especially with our current economical times, everyone could use a little optimism."

As the rehearsal continued, young Davis closed her cell phone and Pfeiffer continued the scene. She said though it takes a little coercing to get the young actors back on track, it is obvious they are really excited to perform.

"They had their lines memorized before any of the college actors," she said.