A longtime love of performing has landed Washington High School senior Diani Teixeira the title role in “Mary Poppins.”

The musical will be presented March 20-23 in the WHS performing arts center.

“I love that adrenalin rush you get on stage and being able to tell a story to so many people,” Teixeira said during a break in rehearsals. “I’ve always loved reading and books and stories, and now when I’m on stage I get to be part of the story and bring it to life.”

Teixeira has been involved in WHS musicals throughout high school, appearing first as a freshman in the role of Duffy in “Annie.” She followed up as a Bird Girl in “Seussical the Musical” as a sophomore and the character Mrs. Luce, assistant director and choreographer for “Little Shop of Horrors” last year. She has also appeared in a series of WHS Playmakers productions and has served as director of the drama club for two years.

Eight years as a dance student under instructor Janet Cox at Le Moulin Rouge de

Danse helped instill a love of performing.

“Mrs. Janet always put us on stage and I had such a good time I wanted to keep doing it,” Teixeira recalled. “And I did some little plays at Washington Montessori Public Charter School when I was younger.”

Along with her dance background, the young actress has taken two years of private voice lessons so she’s excited about the opportunity to sing on stage. Her favorite songs from “Mary Poppins” include “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Playing the Game.”

Teixeira said the strong support enjoyed by the drama program at WHS makes being a student performer especially rewarding.

“All the teachers work so hard; they don’t have to be here for hours working with us after school, but they are,” she said. “You can tell they love it as much as we do.”

The 17-year-old daughter of Dr. Fred Teixeira and Dr. Tara Knott, she serves as president of the high school’s Key Club and is a member of the National Honor Society. She played tennis for the Pam Pack her freshman and sophomore years.

Once the curtain falls on “Mary Poppins” and she takes her final bow, Teixeira knows that won’t be the end of her stage career. She hopes to attend Elon University or the UNC School of the Arts as a drama major.

Tickets for “Mary Poppins” are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. For more information, call Penny Paul at 252-946-0858, extension 276.

*The Daily News will take a backstage tour of “Mary Poppins” in this Sunday’s Pamlico Life feature.