Alice in Wonderland Comes to Life at PHS

Save the date! Lewis Carroll's timeless tale Alice in Wonderland comes to life on the Preston stage on December 2nd-4th at 7:00pm. Preston High school's adaption of the play features many unique and thought-provoking twists, to entertain the audience.

The directorial team in charge of bringing the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland to life is Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Benavides, Mrs. McCabe, and Mme. Leclair. The cast of this production is none other than Preston High school's very own Sadie Snip, Amanda Coates, John Bannister, Mikayla Sabola, Karina Sabola, Kolton Sopha, Joshua Hinnrichs, Muskaan Gill, Emily Hartman, Josh Whalen, Nicole Saville, Ashley Charman, Maddie Stymiest, Samantha Fiorini, Isabella Andrade, Jessika Molnar, Kaitlyn Krestiankova, Heather Firlotte, Michael Cohn, Kaylee Saulnier, Sydney Burrell, Adena Persaud, Amy Bowman, and Cameron Bauldry.

This production of Alice in Wonderland has a large crew of staff and students, assisting with behind the scene details; such as costume design, production, set design, and tech.

Every Tuesday and Thursday, dedicated students from the visual art department make costumes and set pieces for the play.

The Panther Prowl had the opportunity to interview three Alice in Wonderland cast members: Jessica, Maddie, and Sadie, for this article. Here are some edited excerpts from their interviews.

Jessica Molnar Q: How are rehearsals for Alice in Wonderland going? A: I think rehearsals are going very smoothly. Everyone is very cooperative and has good ideas. I think the show is going to be a really great one.

Q: How do you think this version of Alice in Wonderland going to be different from other versions of Alice in Wonderland? A: This version of Alice in Wonderland will be very different because of multiple factors. Firstly, we're basing the play on a life of a teenager, facing the first day of high school, and the trial of being judged. So, I think this version of Alice in Wonderland will be different in terms of how the audience will connect with it.

Maddie Stymiest Q: What are you most looking forward to regarding Alice in Wonderland? A: I'm most looking forward to seeing how all the different individuals in the cast turn into the crazy Alice in Wonderland characters for the show. I can’t wait to see an incredible final product!

Q: What’s it like being a part of the cast?

A: I personally feel like the cast of Alice in Wonderland is like a family and the energy is completely different from drama class. Each person is coming from a different background and has something different/special bring to the table. It makes us closer as a drama family. We are all the same because we are all different individuals with a desire to be in the show. It's exciting to be in rehearsals; the teacher’s insight creates the best characters.

Q: What would you say to people who would like to be involved in the drama department at PHS? A: Anyone who has an interest in drama should know that it's life changing. Individuals get to meet new people and learn important new skills. So, don't knock drama until you try it! Drama is all about trial and error. Once you have a chance to experience drama you might enjoy it.

Sadie Snip Q: What was it about the original Lewis Carroll stories that resonated with you? A: I think the thing about the original story that resonated most with me would be that it's ok to be wacky. Lewis Carroll's characters were all so unique and out there. It shows that normal doesn't exist. As cliché as it sounds, nobody is the same, and nobody should aim to be the same. Being unique is key, and that is something I really admired about the story.

Q: Why has Alice in Wonderland had such a big impact on our culture? A: Alice in Wonderland has had such an impact on our culture, tying In my first response, because "everyone is mad." This story really made people ok with this statement. Being mad or out there is not something people should be ashamed about. I think this concept has inspired many things today.

Q: What's it like being involved in a PHS drama production? A: Being involved in a PHS production is an absolutely amazing experience. It's the first production we as a school have had for a while, so I knew I had to audition. Every rehearsal is a new journey, and I grow as an actor and as a person during each one. This production is something I will never forget.

The cast and crew of Alice in Wonderland is working very hard to get the show ready for opening night. The production will be presented from December 2nd-4th. The first day tickets go on sale is November 23 at lunch in room 136. However, tickets will also be available at the door at 6:30pm.

#drama #events #thearts