The stage is set, the lights blare and all Jessica Willoughby can do is hope her directing was enough.

The senior has directed before, and under extremely difficult conditions.

Jessica is deaf, but she hasn’t let this difference stop her.

“She’s very mature and gets things other students may not,” Director Kathy Carron said.

Jessica is able to contribute a lot to the play. Even though she’s only 16, she is very experienced with drama, has taken three theater classes and plans to be a screen writer.

“It’s not hard to direct. I don’t feel it’s different,” Jessica signed. “I have just noticed how enthusiastic everyone is about it.”

Carron and the other students involved in the spring play “Crimes of the Heart” work very well with her. They are permitted to text her during practices, because it’s a faster method of communication. At first, the cast felt they had to be careful of what they said to her, seeing as they had to go through her interpreter.

“She’s very organized, and is definitely always really prepared,” sophomore cast member Nicole Cuneo said.

For Jessica, it can be quite frustrating when the other students get distracted. When directing, her main focus is facial images, gestures and positions. Because of her deafness, she cannot give her advice to the aspect of the actors’ tone or volume.

“It’s hard to help people who hear to express because I can’t make an inflection,” Jessica signed. “Others use their voice to show emotion, but I must focus on movement.”

Working on “Crimes of the Heart” has been nice for Jessica, as she enjoys working with people who don’t sign, and feels they get a chance to better experience her interaction.

“It’s been a great experience working with someone such as her,” junior cast member Zack Short said. “She definitely has a great mindset for overall direction.”

Being deaf may have taken away some of the simplicities of communication between Jessica and the others, but the cast is still very excited to see her work.

“I look forward to the product of this play,” Carron said, “as Jessica has really worked hard.”