MATTAPOISETT — A CEO, a movie star and a musician step onto a Los Angeles bound train only to discover a plot of murder and mystery in the Old Rochester Junior High Drama Club’s newest production, “Murder on the 518.”

Led by director Kate Fishman of the Marion Art Center and Old Rochester Spanish teacher Beth Faria, the junior high play features a dynamic cast of student actors who immerse themselves in their roles.

The performers sauntered across the stage in pinstripe dresses, blazers and chef toques, interacting with their fellow actors and engaging with the environment of the set.

“I love playing other characters because I get to go in the mind of them and I get to take a break from my personal mind for a little bit,” said seventh grader Juliana Pinhancos, who plays CEO Avery Millen. “One day, I’m a student who’s focused on her grades and her sports. When I come here, I’m a CEO.”

Eighth grader Mia De-Rossi-Goldberg, who plays “snobby” married woman Polly Barnes, says she likes to play roles that reflect her inner confidence.

“I like those roles because I’m sassy myself,” said DeRossi-Goldberg.

Pinhancos describes the drama club as a big commitment, stating, “You have to dedicate a lot of your time, you have to give up some things to be able to do this.”

At an after-school rehearsal, Fishman guided the actors through scenes and provided feedback on line delivery, memorization and body language.

She believes that the true importance of youth drama clubs lies in what they learn from the process and can apply to their lives outside of theatre.

“It helps them with empathy. It helps them with analysis and critical thinking and critical action. There are a lot of things that, while they’re fun, they’re actually learning,” said Fishman. “It’s easy to say, ‘Oh, this is just a drama club.’ But there are skills here that they’re learning that they will take wherever they go.”

Seventh grader Annika Lund says her favorite part of drama club is the friendships she made while performing with her peers.

“If I didn’t do this, I think I would have missed out on a lot of friendships,” said Lund.

Performances will take place at Old Rochester Junior High on Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29 at 7 p.m. and there will be a matinee show on Sunday, March 30 at 2 p.m. Tickets are for sale at the door. Adult tickets are $10 and junior high student and children’s tickets are $5.