Curtain Rises on Young Actors' Enchanting "Alice in Wonderland" Performances

The Petersburg Medical Center's Theater ORCA Camp is abuzz with excitement as young actors prepare for their performance of "Alice in Wonderland." Scheduled for the evening of August 1 at the High School Auditorium, the production promises a whimsical journey into Lewis Carroll's classic tale.

Unleash the Magic of Childhood Imagination on the Stage

Embracing the Roles with Creativity and Passion

About 20 kids, ranging from pre-K to high school, are scattered across the stage and seats, rehearsing an abridged version of Alice in Wonderland for just under a month. With such a quick timeline, the players have had to find creative ways to embody their roles. Audrey Boggs, for example, is playing the anxious White Rabbit and has adopted a method acting approach to the character, drawing on her past experience with a pet rabbit. "I had a rabbit last year, and so I learned the behavior of a rabbit," Boggs said. "Because it was always so scared, being the white rabbit is not a challenge for me."Others, like Lily Scrimsher, who plays the perpetually sleepy dormouse, have drawn on their own lived experiences to bring their characters to life. "I do like to relax," Scrimsher said. "I do like to sleep a lot. It does feel really awkward just like, standing on stage slouching, I have to try to not look weird or something."

Embracing the Topsy-Turvy World of Wonderland

Adding to the psychedelic nature of the story, this production will actually be staged twice, back-to-back, with some kaleidoscopic changes. Director Brad Younts explains, "Our first group has never done camp before, and so they're doing it in a much more traditional way. We decided with session two, it would be fun to do it in a different way. And we just thought, to have a story that came to prominence in the 1880s, if we set it in the 1980s, that might be kind of fun. And it gives us really cool costumes."This topsy-turvy approach extends to the characters as well. Cecelia Kvasnikoff, who played a butterfly in last year's show, is now metamorphosing into a caterpillar. "I like that I get to be blue, cause my favorite color is blue," Kvasnikoff said. "I'm usually really energetic, and all up happy, and he's usually all chill and smooth. And usually I'd be like, full of pink, but he's in blue because he's all sad."

Navigating the Challenges of Costumes and Characterization

The costumes have also presented some challenges for the young actors. Annika Barosy-Flor, who is playing Tweedledee, is not a fan of her costume. "I don't have a favorite part, but I have a least favorite," Barosy said. "My costume. It just feels like I'm a 2-year-old." Duncan Goodridge, who is portraying the Queen of Hearts in the second version of the play, has also struggled with the weight of his costume. "I'm gonna be 100 percent honest, it's the dress," Goodridge said. "Because the dress that I have to wear, it's so heavy."Despite these challenges, the young actors are determined to bring their characters to life and deliver a memorable performance. Jozlyn Turland and Evynne Thomas, who are both playing Alice, are eager for their debut. "It's going to be fun," Turland said. "We got some people playing roles [that] really get into their characters. I've laughed a lot during practice." Thomas added, "I'm really nervous, but really excited, because this is the first play I've ever been in."

Harnessing the Power of Theater to Build Confidence and Creativity

Director Brad Younts recognizes the valuable lessons that participation in theater can provide for the young actors. "I think it helps to build self-confidence," Younts said. "It helps them to find a positive way to use their emotions, to express their emotions. There are life lessons about being a good listener, not being judgmental, being curious instead."For some, like Sorren Denning-Barnes, who plays the Mad Hatter and will be moving to Washington at the end of the summer, the play is an opportunity to say goodbye to Petersburg. "I'll be up on stage in front of a bunch of people," Denning-Barnes said. "I've never done a theater camp here, and wanted to try it out."Even the Cheshire Kittens, Helmi Versteeg and Blayre Phillips, are determined to overcome their fears and embrace the experience. "I am scared to speak in public," Versteeg said. "So I thought theater camp would help my shyness of public speaking." Phillips added, "I sometimes feel like I'm at the real recital, but then I have to say 'line'. But then I remember that it's just for fun, and it's okay if you mess up – sometimes. Because everybody makes mistakes."As the young actors continue to rehearse and prepare for their performances, the excitement and anticipation continue to build. The show is scheduled for this evening at the High School Auditorium, with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. and the performance beginning at 5:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, inviting the community to witness the magic of these young thespians as they bring the enchanting world of "Alice in Wonderland" to life.