From left Marika Koch as Miss Bates, Emily Jeziorski as Emma, and Holland Isaacson as Harriet Smith, rehearse a scene from “Emma” which is the next production at the Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown.

Jennifer Davis is inspired by great storytellers.

“I love storytelling. As an audience member, I love seeing stories come to life. And the more I watch theater, and see really great storytellers do interesting things, that kind of inspires me to try and do the same.”

Storytelling is the reason she chose to direct “Emma,” which is the next production at the Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown, 18 E. Second St.

Davis, a music teacher at Chautauqua Lake Central School, also notes that she likes the opportunity to work with actors and look into the motivation behind why and how they act, and how they draw upon their real life experiences.

“That’s also the fun thing about any of these characters (in ‘Emma’) is no one interpretation is going to be the same,” Davis said.

According to lbltj.com, in Kate Hammill’s adaptation, Emma Woodhouse prides herself on being a matchmaker with an impeccable track record, much to the chagrin of her dear friend Mr. Knightley. Her latest scheme revolves around the sweet Harriet Smith, whom Emma advises to reject a perfectly good marriage proposal in favor of another eligible bachelor. However, her best-laid plans are turned upside down by unpredictable displays of affection, unexpected rivals and Emma’s sudden realization that true love may have been under her nose all along. With screwball comedy and surprises aplenty, this fresh, fast-paced world premiere interprets the Jane Austen classic with delightfully unconventional flair.

“It’s a fresh take on a classic,” Davis said.

LBLTJ Board President Holly Weston agrees.

“We are learning that the community really enjoys shows where they know or have some previous knowledge of the storyline. With Emma, most (people) are familiar with the Jane Austin novel, but Kate Hamill has taken this classic and given it a playful twist which is just really exciting to get to bring to life on our stage,” Weston noted.

Other Austen novels include, “Sense and Sensibility,” “Pride and Prejudice,” “Mansfield Park,” “Northanger Abbey,” “Persuasion,” and “Lady Susan.”

“She has this feminist lens that she applies to a lot of her works, specifically with the Jane Austen works, which I find intriguing,” Davis said.

Assistant Director John Thompson said he likes how the Hamill adaptation is told through a modern lens.

“I like the way Kate Hamill uses words in this,” Thompson said.

This is Thompson’s first time being on the other side of the stage.

“I’ve done everything else,” Thompson said. “I know that I can act on stage. I know I can sing on stage. I know I can dance on stage. But being on the other side of things, is a totally different thing.”

And he said he is getting great direction (pun intended) from Davis.

“She’s a really great teacher.”

When Davis is directing, she will make certain choices, and if those choices work, then she will keep them in the production, but if her choices don’t seem to work, then she said she will try to come up with a solution with cast members.

“I think it’s a fresh challenge every time,” Davis said of directing. “There’s aspects that get easier, I think, for me. It’s been just a personal growth. I’ve been able to identify within myself the parts that I’m more confident and the parts I’m less confident with, and you have to be willing to admit the parts you’re not as confident with.”

The cast of “Emma” includes Emily Jeziorski as Emma, Holland Isaacson as Harriet Smith, Lyn Schaffer as Mrs. Weston, Marika Koch as Miss Bates, Christine Panebianco as Jane Fairfax, Ayri Brady as Mrs. Elton, Betsy Trusel as Mrs. Bates, Michael Correy as Mr. Knightley, Bob Schlick as Mr. Woodhouse, Noah Goodling as Mr. Elton, Jeremy Jeziorski as Mr. Weston, Caleb Foley as Frank Churchill, and Caleb Roller as Robert Martin.

Performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., March 22, March 23 at 7 p.m., and March 24 at 2 p.m.

For information about tickets visit lbltj.com.