AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas School for the Deaf kicked off their annual high school production Thursday.

The play is three months in the making with each student rehearsing for long hours around their busy school schedule.

"We knew that they could handle it and they did. They are doing an outstanding job," said Gabrielle Nocciolino, the director of the play.

The comedy production, "Noises Off," is by far their largest and most complex production the school has done. There are nine different characters and four interpreters, who voice the production for those who don't understand American sign language.

"For our community it's an extra special experience because we already have very expressive natural language happening within the deaf community and so with that, our actors feel it's very easy to pull the energy to the audience," said Nocciolino.

TSD's theater program began with a class in 2011 that was created due to state requirements.

Over the course of the past 7 years, the program has grown to include two major productions--- one in the fall for middle school students and in the spring for high school kids.

For many, it's their favorite time of the school year.

"There's something about our language becoming an art and you just don't see that across the United States. It's very important to our community. It's irreplaceable," said Joe Cherichello, a 10th grade student and actor in the play.

Nocciolino says this sort of program is a rarity across the the country.

Students hope their productions can act as inspiration for other deaf schools.

"I hope to see other deaf schools recognize the kind of program we offer and want to have something like this for them," said 11th grade actress, Jakiya Murphy.

The school had one performance Thursday and two on Friday.

There is one last show on Saturday, April 14, at 7 p.m.

To find out more information, visit tsd.state.tx.us/apps/pages/performing_arts.