“5-6-7-8.” Choreographer Colleen Barrett is running a group of tap-dancing sea anemones through their routine. Another group is busy unpacking props from the road trip and returning them to their rightful places, noting where repairs are needed and how the test run can be improved upon.

The enthusiasm in the air is palpable.

The Tamaqua Area Drama Club is just a few weeks away from bringing “The SpongeBob Musical” to life.

It will be their first full-scale musical since November 2019, when 70 cast and 31 crew members put on “Les Misérables.” It was the largest full-scale production to date, as well as being the most financially successful.

“I felt that our bond as a cast was even stronger because of all that shared commitment, time and energy,” said Adriane Drum, the drama club director.

Liam Borden, a senior, who will portray the titular character in the upcoming play, has been a longtime club member. To play SpongeBob is a dream come true for Borden, who grew up with the cartoon.

“As soon as I heard that that’s what we were doing, I was like that’s it. I have to be SpongeBob.” Watching the sprightly Borden bounce and weave across the stage, mimicking SpongeBob’s corny mannerisms, it’s easy to see that he was born to play the role.

Portraying beloved cartoon characters has brought its own set of unique challenges to the club. Ayrton Auman, who will be playing the perennial best friend Patrick, gets into his character by channeling “the feeling” of Patrick.

“I think that’s something we all need right now,” he said, “that feeling that everything is going to be OK, and maybe we shouldn’t get caught up in all the details of things.” Borden draws on his extensive knowledge of “every episode ever of SpongeBob,” and tries to think how “the real SpongeBob” would respond in each situation.

As rehearsal continues, the camaraderie among the cast, crew and their mentors is obvious. No detail is left to chance.

“Ladies, we need to have a frank discussion about these,” says Drum as she unpacks a flurry of hot pink feathered and fringe outfits for a dance number. The bright spotlights are not forgiving, and over the course of the strenuous dance number, which includes a Rockette worthy kick-line, things will shift. It’s important that everyone’s costume stays in place. The same attention is paid to every costume, facial expression, and sound effect throughout the entire show.

Stage manager Ruth Gardiner has brought the “world-renowned Bikini Bottom” to life with a host of scenes that will be instantly recognizable to any fan of the show. Barrett and Erika Cassell, and assistant choreographer Maddie McGlinchey, have choreographed several elaborate dance numbers that feature the entire cast. Of note is the footwork done by junior Johnathan Ulicny, who portrays Squidward.

Rehearsals for SpongeBob started in June and continued through the summer with vocal instruction for soloists. In addition to Drum, students worked with vocal director Deb Sweeney and vocal coach Tammy Wapinsky.

Drum hopes that SpongeBob will bring everything back together. “It’s new and fresh, and the songs are really awesome,” she says. She knows her students have it in them to be the best the club has ever been. As they say in Bikini Bottom, “everything gets better if you keep on trying.”

“The SpongeBob Musical” debuts at the Tamaqua Area Auditorium on Nov. 11, at 6 p.m. Additional shows will be on Nov. 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. Tickets will be available until sellout one hour prior to each show.