Erin Stowe is chasing her dream.

From July 27-Aug. 6, Stowe, a graduate of Washington High School and East Carolina University, will perform the new musical “An Extra Penny” at Louisburg College in Louisburg.

The musical “follows a small community of women during WWI and basically is about how they help each other through hard times,” Stowe said.

Though it is based in WWI, she said the story is timeless and, composed of a largely female cast, shows the strength and resilience of women.

Stowe and the rest of the cast have already completed shows from July 27-30 and will perform four more shows Aug. 3-6.

“The shows have gone really well,” Stowe said. “A few people … like other producers … came Friday, and they really loved it.”

Stowe plays Janie Ellis, a young schoolteacher who is sending her husband off to war.

Since this is the first time the musical has been performed, Stowe is eager to bring her character to life.

“This is the very first time anyone has played this part, and I get to create it and premiere it,” she said. “I think that’s so exciting.”

Stowe said she landed the part through a mutual connection with the play’s director, Cindy Mancini. Her voice teacher from ECU knew Mancini and recommended Stowe for the part.

Mancini and the play’s producer, Conwell Worthington II, are aiming to take the show to Broadway, according to Stowe.

The musical is currently in the workshop phase, which means that they will tweak the play during performances and hope to attract attention from other producers.

“What we’re focused on is getting people like those area producers to see it, like it and want to invest in it. If that goes well then we move to a regional theater,” she said, adding that the ultimate goal is to take the production to Broadway.

Stowe hopes to follow the show to a regional theater and beyond as part of her pursuit of a career in theater.

“I absolutely love performing, and I would love to be able to do it for the rest of my life,” she said.

Stowe’s performance in “An Extra Penny” has taken her to the Jones Performing Arts Center in Louisburg, but she remembers her days on stage at Washington High School, where she was actively involved in theater.

She performed in Stunt Night at Washington High School three years and played the roles of Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” and Miss Hannigan in “Annie” in WHS productions.

Stowe’s time with “An Extra Penny” has been fun and a learning experience, she said.

“I’ve learned a lot from pretty much everybody in the cast. I learned how to be professional in the theater world through my schooling at ECU, but being able to actually work with people who do this for a living gives me a new perspective,” Stowe said.

Stowe encourages everyone to come see “An Extra Penny”. The show will be performed at 8 p.m. Aug. 3-5, and 2 p.m. Aug 6 at Louisburg College. Tickets are $30.