The set and costumes for “Educating Rita” were part of the learning process for Aimee Kewley as she got ready to take on the role of Rita, a 26-year-old working-class British hairdresser seeking a college education in Willy Russell’s play. “I’m looking forward to actually seeing the set,” Kewley said in anticipation of last Sunday’s tech rehearsal. “They always bring so much. You never know the character until you wear their clothes.”

The Pilgrim Soul Productions presentation of “Educating Rita” opens its run at 8 p.m. Friday at the GB and Lexi Singh Performance Center in Whitin Mill, 60 Douglas Road, Whitinsville. Matthew J. Carr, artistic director of Pilgrim Soul, plays Frank, a middle-aged college professor who has become cynical and bitter (and also a boozer). When the Cockney-accented Rita (Kewley) walks into his office for tutoring as a mature, nontraditional student via Britain’s Open University program, the lives of both are about to be changed. (Neal Martel directs the Pilgrim Soul show.)

Kewley is outfitted in two costumes as Rita — one in the first act, the other in the second. In theory, there could be more costume changes to reflect the numerous emotional and intellectual changes Rita goes through as Frank introduces her to authors such as E.M. Forster (it’s not always love at first sight). But two will do, Kewley said. “She changes so much, I feel like changing her clothes with each change she makes would be overkill.”

The thoughtful Kewley, 25, got her education in theater with a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Theater was an important part of Kewley’s life as she grew up in Worcester (where she still lives). After graduating from UMass, Kewley worked at Foothills Theatre, acting in its children’s theater productions. She is a fine arts consultant for the Worcester public schools.

Rita, in contrast, is more of a late developer in terms of seeking to define an interest. That does not mean she’s stupid. In 1980 when Russell wrote his play (and probably still to this day), it was quite an act of bravery for a working-class woman in England to set foot in the hallowed halls of academe.

“I love Rita,” Kewley said. “She is sassy. She is incredibly smart — although she doesn’t give herself any credit.”

Like anyone else, she also is capable of making mistakes, Kewley noted. In “Educating Rita,” Rita starts to confuse an Aimee Kewley (Courtesy of JEFF BAKER) education for speaking posh and proper. This will be much to the disillusionment of Frank, who had found Rita to be a breath of fresh air. But there will be more changes to come.

In 1983 “Educating Rita” was made into a very good movie with Michael Caine as Frank and Julie Walters as Rita — a role she originated on the London stage. Asked if she had seen the film, Kewley said, “I made a conscious decision not to — as tempting as it is every day to go on to YouTube and watch clips of it. I’m sure the movie is great, but I don’t want the choices of another actor to influence my choices, whether they are good or bad.”

Carr is happy with his choice of casting and directing Kewley in previous Pilgrim Soul productions (including “Big Maggie” and “The Muesli Belt”) and now acting with her. “Aimee is a gifted performer with a tremendous emotional range, which she explores fully in her realization of Rita,” Carr said.

For her part, Kewley said, “Matt is great as a director. He’s an actor’s director. (Now) as an actor, it’s great to work with him. We’re comfortable.” With Martel directing the two of them, the “level of professionalism is phenomenal … I know we’re gonna go in there and we’re gonna work. Every night something comes out a bit different — little choices that can completely change things.”

While she’s happy with Pilgrim Soul, the loss last year of Foothills was still a big working blow. “Foothills hurt. Did that ever. It’s about a year now and it’s still like an open wound,” Kewley said.

Rita takes a big step walking into Frank’s (cluttered) office. Might Kewley take some steps in the direction of New York or elsewhere to pursue the acting dream?

“I’m absolutely happy here,” she said, but added, “I feel like I will take a jump. I don’t know if it will be New York or Boston. I love Boston."

“Hopefully it will work out. I would love to work full time in theater, whether it’s acting or other aspects of theater. It’s what I got my degree in. People who get degrees in engineering become engineers. I would like to be working in theater.”

“Educating Rita” will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and March 12 and 13; and 2 p.m. Sunday and March 14. Tickets are $15 ($12 per ticket for groups of 25 or more). To reserve tickets, call (508) 752-0224, or e-mail tom.saupe@alternativesnet.org or mattcarr@charter.net.