MONROE — Led by Jessica Nivison as Tracy Turnblad, a color blind teen in the early 1960’s who is passionate about equal rights and integration, Two Planks Theater Company’s production of  Hairspray will deliver a timely message under its shimmering veneer of quick-step dance steps and upbeat rock ‘n roll music.

Presented by the Two Planks Theater Company’s Summer Youth Theater Workshop, performances for Hairspray are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 23-25, at 8 pm, outdoors at Wolfe Park, 285 Cutlers Farm Road in Monroe.

The production team for Hairspray is Two Planks Theater’s Executive Director, Brooke Burling; Artistic Directors David and Susan Halliwell; and Judy Abbatiello, choreographer.

Along with learning traditional ‘60s dances, such as the Hand Jive and The Madison, and mastering the alternately soulful belting and crooning styles pervasive in the music of this decade, Workshop Directors the Halliwells also challenged campers to research this troubled time in American history.

“This is one of my dream roles ever since I was little,” said Jessica, 12, an eighth grade student at Monroe Middle School. “It’s a big step for me. It’s a very powerful role because of her speaking out against what’s going on around her. Tracy Turnblad and I really connect.”

As Penny, Tracy’s best friend, Melinda Primorac, a rising sophomore at Masuk High School, also appreciates the pivotal role that her character plays in the show’s plot. Although Penny is more of a follower than a leader at the musical’s start, when she becomes aware of racial injustices and society’s prejudices, she takes on the fight for change in a courageous and very public way.

“Penny plays such an important role in this play because she really breaks through the barriers around her,” said Melinda. “I think it’s beautiful the way Penny transforms herself from this dorky, spazzy person to someone who is happily in love [with Seaweed, a black teen] and doesn’t care about anyone’s opinion about it. She announces on national TV that she loves Seaweed.”

Tracy and her friends team up with Seaweed and his sister, Little Inez, to push a local television station to allow black dancers on its popular teen dance show.

Two Planks has a huge cast from Monroe and many surrounding communities, including a number of young people from Bridgeport’s Anacaona enrichment program.

“While Hairspray is a foot-tapping, fun show, it also delivers an important message of inclusion and acceptance of different groups of people, no matter what their backgrounds,” said Ms Burling. “We are thrilled to bring together on stage performers from not only Monroe, but also from Newtown, Trumbull, Shelton, Stratford, Fairfield and Bridgeport. It’s so great to see so many kids from so many different towns growing and working together.”

Working with a diverse cast — and getting to know other teens interested in the performing arts from other towns —  was definitely a positive part of Melinda’s summer.

“I was so excited to meet the new kids from outside Monroe, and they were all so fun to work with,” said Melinda. “I’m so happy that they’re part of the Two Planks family now.”

Portraying Little Inez, Hairspray marks the second “Halliwell” summer show for Maya Pranger of Newtown. A new resident to Newtown, and rising sophomore at Newtown High School, Maya was involved in theater at Redding’s elementary school and John Read Middle School. She is currently taking 17 different dance classes offered at Monroe Dance Academy, said Mays.

“I take extra classes because I always want to keep improving,” she said. “I really love ballet but I love performing so I like the musical theater classes, too.”

Also an avid dancer at Monroe Dance Academy, Jessica has also been taking voice lessons from Michelle Lambert for three years.

“The stage is my happy place,” said Jessica. “I’m accepted here for who I am. I am so thankful to be part of this production and that the directors, and even the interns, make it all so enjoyable for us. You make a family here and connect so well with everyone. It’s unlike any other experience you could have.”

Tickets — $15 for adults, $12 for students and senior citizens — will be available at the door at 6:30 pm. Because performances will be outdoors, shows will be subject to weather. In the event of rain, makeup performances may be scheduled. Tickets for rained out performances will be honored on any subsequent evening.

Check FaceBook.com/TwoPlanksTheatre for the latest information and weather-related announcements.

Questions regarding ticketing may be addressed to BoxOffice@twoplankstheater.org. To reserve tickets in advance, go to twoplankstheater.org.