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Performing arts students at Laurel High School made their debut on the stage of the school's new auditorium at a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week even if it will take a little longer for them to officially break in the new stage.

Principal Dwayne Jones said it will still be at least two weeks before the auditorium is open to students and teachers as the school is waiting to hire an auditorium technician to oversee the space's equipment.

Jones said he hopes this will happen before drama students stage a production of "Annie" on March 18 and 19.

But because Laurel High used another school's auditorium technician during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, several students from the concert band and dance team got a taste of what it will be like to perform in front of larger audiences.

"For them, it's like moving from the minor leagues to the major leagues," Jones said. "It's just a totally different feel."

Music instructor Charles Zimmerman said his students are very excited to perform in the new space, where the acoustics are "noticeably better" than the cafeteria, where they've had to perform while awaiting the new addition.

"They're chomping at the bit to get over there," Zimmerman said. "They ask me every day."

The $28 million 800-seat auditorium includes a drama room, dance and rehearsal room, chorus room, prop room, band room, child development classroom and instrumental music room. The county provided $21.5 million with the remaining $6.6 million coming from the state. Laurel High has about 1,800 students.

A 43,500-square-foot, two-story classroom addition connected to the auditorium opened in September, and features eight general classrooms, a keyboard lab, four science classrooms, an ROTC classroom and four special education classrooms, as well as peer mediation and counseling offices.

Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson, Prince George's County Council Chairman Thomas E. Dernoga (D-Dist. 1) of Laurel, county schools Superintendent William Hite Jr. and Laurel Mayor Craig Moe were among the county officials in attendance.

"I want the young people to have the right opportunities, computers and teachers, and be in a better learning economy," Johnson said.