WaCPAC to perform ‘Alice in Wonderland Jr.’
Wayne County Performing Arts Council will perform Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” for its summer youth production.
This summer area residents are invited to join the Wayne County Performing Arts Council in a journey down Lewis Carroll’s famous rabbit hole.
Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” is this season’s summer youth production for the area nonprofit. Show dates will be June 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. with a Sunday matinee on June 22 at 2 p.m. All performances will be held at Fisher Auditorium on the campus of Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, located at 1680 Madison Ave. in Wooster.
This year is WaCPAC’s 10th anniversary of providing the community with a summer youth musical. Ten years ago the group presented the same show.
“‘Alice in Wonderland’ follows Alice, a bright young girl with a big imagination, throughout a journey in the magical place known as Wonderland,” Artistic Director Olivia Ickes said. “During her travels Alice meets many interesting and eccentric characters, all leading her to make the discovery of the importance of being yourself and learning the life-defining question: Who are you?”
There are 58 children in the cast age 8-18. They hail from all around the county and Ashland. Several cast members are longtime veterans of WaCPAC, but for many, this is their first time on stage. There are six pairs of siblings among the cast.
Melia Brown is a rising senior at Wooster High School who performed in her first show at age 8.
“I keep returning because it became a family for me,” Brown said. “The people always bring me back. I love acting because you get the chance to step out of your life and experience a new one. You’re not just pretending to be a character. For those brief moments on stage, you are that character.”
The show is special for Garrett Ponting, who will enter 11th grade at Norwayne High School this fall, because 10 years ago as a 6-year-old, he was the card in Alice in Wonderland.
“Now here I am, 10 years later, as the Mad Hatter,” he said. “It’s pretty cool to be the only actor to be in both shows.”
Emma Manchigiah, an upcoming freshman at Wooster High School, started performing with WaCPAC three years ago and choreographed several of the numbers in Alice.
“Every year I learn something new, and being part of this group has helped me grow as a performer,” Manchigiah said. “(Acting) is a fun challenge that encourages thinking in new ways and adding a personal touch to each role.”
What is the importance of summer theater for kids?
“They learn patience, teamwork, cooperation and dedication,” said Jenny Karger Smith, producer and WaCPAC board president. “They also build skills such as public speaking/singing, choreography and following instructions. It is an excellent creative outlet, and they often create lasting friendships with kids who have shared interests across the county.”
WaCPAC has recently started a mailing list for anyone who’d like to keep current with audition and performance announcements, volunteer opportunities, and fundraisers. A sign-up option will be added to the group’s website soon. Before that, sign up by emailing a request to wacpactheater@gmail.com.
Tickets for all performances are $12 for general admission, with a family four-pack available for $40. Reserved seat tickets will be available at the door and may be purchased online at ticketpeak.co/wacpac/events. Refreshments will be available at intermission, with purchases supporting WaCPAC’s operating costs and show budgets.
Volunteers are always needed for everything from joining the board to working backstage. Email wacpactheater@gmail.com for more information. They also are currently looking for local businesses to donate concessions (food and drink) and Alice-inspired basket raffle items.
Stay tuned for an announcement of WaCPAC’s intergenerational play coming in the fall. The group is hoping to do a Halloween-themed show, but it can’t make an official announcement until it has secured the rights.