Whether she’s in costume as an angel or running around on stage as an excited member of the community in the 1800’s, Fountain Hills resident and 13-year-old actress Erin Deines Schumacher said she is having a wonderful time performing in the Scottsdale Musical Theater Company’s rendition of “A Christmas Carol.”

Schumacher noted that this is the original, musical version of the production and one that has allowed her to learn and grow as an actress.

“Acting, to me, let’s you put yourself in the shoes of someone else and see things from a different perspective,” she said. “You also get to meet a lot of different people, all of whom help define you as an actor.”

Two such people are the company’s executive director, David Hock, and actor Charles Shaughnessy. Schumacher was excited to be cast by Hock in this year’s show, where she gets to share a stage with folks like Shaughnessy, who starred in shows like “Days of Our Lives” and “The Nanny” and is currently playing the role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Looking back, Schumacher said that her early career has been an amazing learning experience.

“I’ve learned so much from all of the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with, especially at Fountain Hills Theater,” Schumacher said, noting that she has gotten a lot out of the workshops and classes hosted by the local theater. “[And] Charles Shaughnessy adds to the learning process by bringing his years of experience, including those working in television and on Broadway, to the process. Any time you get to work with someone of his experience level, you make sure to listen and watch everything he brings to the table, since he is so knowledgeable and focused.”

Over the years, Schumacher has taken on roles such as Aslan in “The Witch and the Wardrobe,” Flora in “Sleeping Beauty” and Mrs. Mayor in “Suessical, Jr.” She’s also played Martha in the Fountain Hills Theater’s version of “A Christmas Carol.”

“I love ‘A Christmas Carol,’ as this is my fourth time being in the show, three of which were with The Fountain Hills Theater,” she continued. “This production with Scottsdale Musical Theater Company is the original Broadway musical version with a 21-piece orchestra.”

Schumacher said her favorite part of the show is when Scrooge is “transformed by the spirit of the season.”

While her career started at an early age performing in plays at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Schumacher’s career goal is to work on Broadway as well as perform opera/classical music.

“I also plan on…improving my dance skills,” she added. “I love performing, whether it be acting, dancing or singing. I’ve been doing it every day since I was around five years old.”

For now, though, she can be seen on stage at the Tempe Center for the Arts along with the rest of the cast of “A Christmas Carol.” Remaining shows are this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 20-22, at 7:30 p.m. There are also 2 p.m. shows on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 22-23. For tickets, visit scottsdalemusicaltheater.com.

“‘A Christmas Carol,’ whether it be at Tempe Center for the Arts or ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ here at Fountain Hills Theater, allows us to take a break from the grind of everyday life to appreciate the positive values and lessons that life, in general, has to offer,” Schumacher said. “And nothing is as good as a live performance.”