ROCK SPRINGS — The Sweetwater BOCES Summer Theatre for Youth invites audiences to travel down the rabbit hole with Alice, one of literature’s most beloved heroines, as she enjoys madcap adventures in Wonderland in an upcoming production of “Disney’s Alice in Wonderland JR.” this Wednesday, July 27, and Thursday, July 28, at 7 p.m.
Both shows will take place in the WWCC Theatre on the Rock Springs campus. Admission is free to this family event, but tickets are required and may be obtained at the door beginning at 6:30 p.m. both nights.
“Disney’s Alice in Wonderland JR.” features updated songs from Disney’s animated motion picture and is a fast-paced take on the classic story by Lewis Carroll. The ever-curious Alice’s journey begins innocently enough as she chases the White Rabbit. Her adventures become increasingly more strange as she races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar, and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game! Other wonderfully wacky characters provide opportunities to showcase every student performer, including singing rock lobsters, talking fish, royal cardsmen, and unbirthday partiers.
The Sweetwater BOCES Summer Theatre for Youth program features 38 local youths and young adults from ages 8 to 18, working under the direction of WWCC Performing Arts Professors Chris Will and Eric de Lora. Both Will and De Lora bring extensive musical theatre experience to the program, and they are mentoring eight Western Wyoming Community College musical theatre, technical theatre, and dance students who have opportunities to assist in stage direction, music direction, choreography, set design, costume design, and light design. These apprentices are also teaching the craft to young cast members on a daily basis
“Both Chris [Will] and I wanted to make certain we created opportunities for the Western students to explore theatre education experiences with the young performers,” De Lora said. “Of course, we want all the students to have fun, but we also want the younger students to learn from older student mentors. Maybe one or more of them will want to pursue a career in arts education, even perhaps taking one of our places as a college instructor someday.”
“Disney’s Alice in Wonderland JR.” is appropriate for audience members of all ages. For more information, contact the Sweetwater BOCES Office at (307) 382-1607.