Each year, a handful of East students are selected to direct and perform in a student-directed play. This year Teagan Walsh ‘24 and Maialen Murua ‘24 are directing the play and they have cast some of the most experienced and talented individuals East has to offer. Walsh and Murua have chosen Alice in Wonderland as this year’s play, and they are continuously working throughout this month in order to perform it on Dec. 1 and 2. With Emma Copen Byers ‘27 starring as Alice and Evan Heindel ‘24 starring as the Mad Hatter, the bar has been set high. The cast and crew have been practicing for long hours, doing the necessary work.
“I like how it is up to the students to create the play and it’s really fun because we all get to participate a lot,” Kelcey Kroese ‘24 said. Kroese plays the role of The King of Hearts and has been actively involved in the drama program throughout her four years at the high school. She and many of her castmates see the unique aspects that the student-directed play has to offer, and how it allows the students to take full control.
“I like that we are being directed by a friend and it’s just very good when it’s student-directed because you can get a feel for what you might want to do when you grow up,” Byers said.
This opportunity helps students advance and learn more about how to collaborate with others more efficiently.
Amidst the characters and storytelling, there are many important lessons and themes students learn throughout the process of putting together a show.
“I am Alice, who is just a 12-year-old girl going through this crazy world meeting these new characters and discovering new things, while also trying to survive,” Byers said.
Alice is a young girl who finds herself in a world of imagination and inconceivable ideas. Through many scenes, settings, and characters, Alice learns the importance of imagination and many other lessons. Characters like the cake, played by Arden Beggs ‘25, cause Alice to physically grow, allowing her to pass through Wonderland more easily.
Not only does the cast make this production come to life, but so does the crew. With the help of students like Deliah Scott ‘26, the stage manager, and the rest of the deck crew, the show is able to truly come to life. Along with the costuming, makeup, and props crew, all the roles are necessary to help produce the play.
“It’s gonna be really cool to see all the concepts come to life within this short production,” Scott said.
Both the Cast and Crew are also in charge of constructing the set of the play. This aspect, along with others, allows the students to have a bigger influence on the production of the play.
“It makes it especially special to the students and allows us to have a creative voice,” Scott said.
The students are given a little over a month to rehearse and prepare for the play and work for many hours most weekdays. Through this extensive process, they are given a rare opportunity.
“It’s great to make memories, perform, and do what we love with our friends,” Beggs said.
Walsh and Murua have put together the cast, organized the crew, and developed the shortened storyline of the production. Last year, they pitched their idea for Alice in Wonderland and ended up being chosen as the student directors for this year’s play.
“They did an amazing job casting the show and I think everyone really enjoys their role and it fits them well,” Scott said.
Many of the cast members are anticipating the end scene, where many of their characters appear and play important roles.
“My favorite scene is the last scene because everyone gets to be in it, it’s a trail, and I think it’s just really cool, “ Byers said.
After a month of hard work, Alice in Wonderland will be produced in the High School PAC. The cast and crew have developed this play that incorporates many of their creative voices and individual ideas. Through personalized character work, show-stopping sets, and the help of the stage crew and costume crews, it is bound to be a wonderful production. Make sure to support these individuals and experience this theatrical piece on Dec. 1 and 2.
