Students in Ecole H.J. Cody High School's production of Alice in Wonderland have been working hard since September to bring the show to the community.
Mercee McIsaac, who is playing Alice, said being in a musical is an exciting and new experience.
"I was in a musical before at a different school but it did get cancelled because of COVID so this will be the first musical I perform on stage. Rehearsals have looked very different for me as I have been working on my stage and vocal presence," McIsaac said.
"This production is not just acting. here is lots of singing and dancing, which are a little bit newer to me, but I have enjoyed it so far," Caelyn Dohei, who will be portraying the role of Frog Newsie, said.
The story of Alice in Wonderland, originally written by Lewis Carroll, is a classic and H.J. Cody's play provides a modern twist.
"This play is a modern twist of Alice, so I want to be able to portray that while keeping the love people have for the Disney version. While it is a modern Alice it is the exact same Wonderland everybody knows and loves," McIsaac said.
"I was watching the first Alice movie and everything is almost the same, our lines are so similar. So I think when people watch it they will remember lines from the movie," said Ceanna Hiron who will be playing the March Hare.
McIsaac hopes the audience can find some lessons in their production.
"It is ok to be mad in a sense, and it is ok to have bold and absurd opinions in the world. The internet is a great example of this because you can find anything on the internet and in a sense it is our modern-day Wonderland. So being able to find the joys and amazing things in real life and appreciating those moments is what I will be taking away."
For many students involved, this will be their last play, so while it is a fun and exciting time, it also feels bittersweet.
"I have been in this program since my Grade 9 year and drama has helped me come into this school and it's been a big part of who I am, and as I go off it is nerve-wracking but I am super excited to come back, and see what the school does next after I am gone, and see other people be influenced and find their love in theatre," McIsaac said.
"It is my last play for the high school experience so it means a lot to me to make sure the show means a lot to the people coming to see it," Hiron said.
For the students, the process has been long but every moment has been worth it.
"I couldn't have asked for more, we have so many amazing individuals, and they are people I will never forget," McIsaac said.
"The experience has been really cool. It's the biggest play I have been in with the school and there are so many props and things to get ready," Hiron said.
For the play, it's not just the acting the students do but also the technical elements such as sound design, light design, and stage management.
"I will be running the show backstage. I will be with the actors, helping with everything they need from costume changes to finding props," stage manager Nora Kaminski said.
"Last year and the years before it was about timing sound cues with the actors, this year it's more about the music and how the actors have to rely on me to make sure they are on time with the music," sound designer Grayson Umlah said.
"The first day we had all the sound cues put in, and I was playing them, it was like a whole different play. Being up in the booth and seeing everybody out there is a very neat experience because you get to see the play grow every single rehearsal. "
The set design also features something that has never been done before.
"Our big catwalk is a standout. We have never done anything like it," Kaminski said.
For the play the whole cast and crew features:
- Director: Alyssa Latimer
- Assistant Director: Jenna Lagoutte
- Musical Director: Jonathan Thornton
- Vocal coach: Kerri Heisler
- Choreographer: Erin Prier
- Alice: Mercee McIsaac
- White Rabbit: Benni Robinson
- Doors: Will Levac, Emily Deck, Zoe Catton
- Tiny Door: Naomi Paul
- Caterpillar: Andy Simon
- Frog Newsie: Caelyn Dohei
- Fish Newsie: Rudolph Olson
- Cheshire Cat: Aly Macsymic
- Kitty cat chorus: Naomi Anderson-Paul, Zoe Catton, Macy Christopherson, Emily Deck, Onyxia Carriss, Raafa Malik
- Mad Hatter: Keagan Schmidt
- March Hare: Ceanna Hiron
- Doormouse: Anne Swainson
- Tweedledee: Toby Mills
- Tweedledum: Alexa Visscher
- Humpty Dumpty: Azaelea Wilson
- Laughing Flowers: Maicy Christopherson, Zoe Catton, Onyxia Carriss, Emily Deck
- Queens guards/cards: Onyxia Carriss, Raafa Malik
- Queen of Hearts: Paisley Foreman
- King of Hearts: Ryder Soppit
- Stage Manager: Nora Kaminski
- Stage Manager: Kaede Thompson
- Sound Designer: Grayson Umlah
- Light designer: Callen Scanland
- Sound operator: Avalee Gillard
- Costume Designer: Matilda Umlah
- Emma Clifton: Running crew
- Elijah Carlson: Costume assistant
- Damian Covey: Spotlight one
- Katelyn Diebert: Spotlight two
Performances of the show will be held on April 3 and April 4 at 7 p.m. and on April 5 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased before the shows by calling 403-887-2412 or at the door. They cost $15 for adults and $10 for students.
"Come and watch it because we put a lot of work into it and it is worth the money to come and see it," Dohei said.
