It's a big night for Ithaca High School students as they take the stage for their spring musical, Hairspray.  It was a lot more than just hitting their notes and acting out their lines.

That's because a group of students succeeded in promoting diversity in their school's theater program.

Orginally, students were supposed to perform "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

But a group of five students known as Students United Ithaca raised concerns about the lack of inclusive casting.

The department changed the musical to Hairspray. 

Students are thrilled now that this cast consists of students of all races, while addressing racial and social injustices.

The group says it's been a long process, but it was all worth it. 

"It was rough, but we did it and I'm so proud of what we've accomplished," said Maddi Carroll, a member of Students United Ithaca. "We are opening with 60 people who are so happy to be here and feel so included and so loved and that's all that we really wanted."

You can see the musical Saturday at 2:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. or Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Ithaca High School.