Highland » Lone Peak High drama teacher Jim Smith is walking evidence that it's never too late to find a satisfying career.

"I didn't figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up until I was 37," the Taylorsville man said.

That's when the then-American Express customer service representative decided he wanted to be immersed full-time in theater.

Smith went back to school, graduating from the University of Utah where he earned a theater degree and teaching certification. For the past 11 years, he has served as a Lone Peak drama teacher.

"I just loved theater," Smith said. "I love the kids. They make me feel young."

Smith says his Lone Peak gig will be his first and last teaching job.

"There's only two ways they're going to get me out of here," said Smith as he took a short break from rehearsing for Lone Peak's upcoming musical, "Camelot." "I'm going to have to die or retire. ... They're going to have to carry me out on a stretcher."

Smith is guiding the Lone Peak drama department's latest output, "Camelot," which opens runs Nov. 17-24.

Senior Melissa Freeman plays Queen Guenevere.

"[Smith] gets to know the cast on a personal basis," Freeman said. "He really cares about what the cast thinks. It's not just his vision; he makes it our vision as well."

Interjects Tyler Otteson, who plays Sir Lancelot, "That's deep."

The two teens share a playful relationship and a romantic on-stage kiss.

After practicing for the scene, Otteson announced proudly that he's no longer in the V.L. (Virgin Lips) Club.

"They say it doesn't count, but I say it does," Otteson said.

For Freeman, stage-kissing is old hat. She played Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet" as a ninth-grader. At first, kissing in front of an audience was awkward, but now it's strictly business.

"For me," she said, "it's just a stage kiss."

Otteson took the opportunity to build up his partner.

"You're a pro," he assured her.

The kissing scene, Smith says, isn't exactly rated R.

"Everyone knows this is Utah County," he said.

When directing young folks on a kiss, it's important they feel comfortable with each other. He tells them to "find an alcove" to rehearse in.

"Go over there and just practice a little bit," Smith tells them, adding, "within reason."

Fellow senior Destin Swartz plays another lead role, the villain Mordred .

"I've had silly roles," Swartz said. "This is my first serious, dark role."

He says he's also a V.L. Club member, and he described how it works.

"In the boys' version, you get in to get out," he said. For girls, it's all about planning a "special event."

Sounds about right.

ndicou@sltrib.com