But his best mate and love interest Katie (Tanikia Wise-Fisher) has a secret – she can freeze time.

Together the pair foil an evil plan by the school cool kids to change their reports so they can all live the easy live and get jobs as merchant bankers ... and thus the Ballarat Secondary College’s Wendouree campus play Hero unfolds.

Doug’s mother is played by Billie Cornell, his best friend JJ by Thomas Bailey and the cool kids by Shanyn Cunningham, Raiden Munson and Max Elliss.

Music teacher and Hero playwright David Allen said he had been playing with the idea of a “wannabe superhero” show for a while.

“It’s been received really well. The kids have loved it and there’s also audience participation in the gym class and school dance scenes,” Mr Allen said.

Hero features 25 students on stage, with four backstage and three in the band, plus staff.

Seven performances have been held, including audiences from Wendouree, Forest Street, Yuille Park, Creswick North and Creswick primary schools, after a term of rehearsals.

The play was choreographed by Karli Drew.