“When are tears happy?” and “Where does love go when we grow angry?” are the questions that Emma and Jane ask their mother in David Wells’ play “Elsewhere and Back,” being performed by the Theater of the Enchanted Forest Young Company this weekend at the Pavilion Theater.

The answers to these coming-of-age questions are the forces that propel the sisters on a quest to Elsewhere, an adventurous wonderland that brings the girls closer to self-knowledge.

Much like the characters they portray, the 13 Young Company members are on their own exciting adventure while working with Wells on “Elsewhere.” Ranging in age from 10 to 14, the children currently rehearsing the show are naturally curious about the fun and demanding process of putting a production together for the public.

Stephanie Dowd, 13, said that working on “Elsewhere” has taught her more about what it means to understand another person’s point of view.

“I’ve learned that I can be a different person and be feeling the same feelings that that person feels, and how much fun it can be to do that,” said Dowd, who plays Jane in the show.

Holly Arsenault, who plays several roles in the play, agreed.

“You have to try to understand what other people think instead of just knowing what you think and seeing everything through your own eyes,” said the 10-year-old.

Gaining a better understanding of others is just one aspect of what the actors have learned. Under the direction of Wells, they also have come to know the importance of carefully reading a script and thoughtfully responding to it.

“You don’t just read the words on the page,” said Arsenault. “You have to try to understand what the person is feeling. You have to put yourself in their shoes and really be them.”

Brian Kelley, an 11-year-old who plays the Elsewhere police chief, has a firm sense of who his character is and how to go about presenting him to an audience.

“I’m the one who doesn’t have a clue about the questions they (Emma and Jane) ask me,” said Kelley, who first became interested in acting after seeing TEF shows when he was younger. “I just talk about criminals and how to get them and how to arrest them. I change from being sad to mad very quickly.”

Backstage, stage manager Kristen Gwinn is learning about the organizational side of theater. She auditioned for the show, but didn’t make the final cuts. Wells called her back, however, because he was impressed with her audition and wanted her to participate in some aspect of the production.

“It’s a neat feeling knowing that I have a lot of responsibility and that I’ve helped the show,” said Gwinn, 12, whose duties include “keeping lists,” “listening to David,” and “making sure everything is right.”

The show is a chance for all of the children to learn about acting, themselves and each other. And for some, it’s the beginning of career interests.

“I love the stage,” said 10-year-old Becky Young, who plays Emma. “I want to be an actress when I grow up. I like making people happy and it makes me happy to see other people happy.”

According to Young, the play ends on a happy note, too.

“Emma and Jane both find their answers. They find their way home and their mother is glad to see them and it’s a happy ending and that’s the end.”

“Elsewhere and Back” will be performed at 7 p.m. July 13 and 14, and 2 p.m. July 15 at the Pavilion Theater, University of Maine. For tickets, call 581-1755.