(Photo by Olivia Schmidt/KFSK)
The Petersburg Medical Center’s Theater ORCA Camp is abuzz with excitement as young actors prepare for their performance of “Alice in Wonderland.” Scheduled for the evening of August 1 at the High School Auditorium, the production promises a whimsical journey into Lewis Carroll’s classic tale.
About 20 kids, between pre-K and high school, are scattered across the stage and seats. They have been rehearsing an abridged version of Alice in Wonderland for just under a month. With such a quick timeline, the players have had to find creative ways to embody their roles. Audrey Boggs, for example, is playing the anxious White Rabbit, and adopted a method acting approach to the character.
“I had a rabbit last year, and so I learned the behavior of a rabbit,” Boggs said. “Because it was always so scared, being the white rabbit is not a challenge for me.”
Others, like Lily Scrimsher, who plays the perpetually sleepy dormouse, drew on their lived experiences.
“I do like to relax,” Scrimsher said. “I do like to sleep a lot. It does feel really awkward just like, standing on stage slouching, I have to try to not look weird or something.”
Adding to the psychedelic nature of the story, this production will actually be staged twice, back-to-back, with some kaleidoscopic changes – Director Brad Younts explains.
“Our first group has never done camp before, and so they’re doing it in a much more traditional way,” Younts said. “We decided with session two, it would be fun to do it in a different way. And we just thought, to have a story that came to prominence in the 1880s, if we set it in the 1980s, that might be kind of fun. And it gives us really cool costumes.”
Speaking of a topsy-turvy world, Cecelia Kvasnikoff is metamorphosing backwards – in last year’s show, she played a butterfly – this year? A caterpillar.
“I like that I get to be blue, cause my favorite color is blue,” Kvasnikoff said. “I’m usually really energetic, and all up happy, and he’s usually all chill and smooth. And usually I’d be like, full of pink, but he’s in blue because he’s all sad.”
Annika Barosy-Flor’s costume as Tweedledee is making her a little blue too.
“I don’t have a favorite part, but I have a least favorite,” Barosy said. “My costume. It just feels like I’m a 2-year-old.”
Duncan Goodridge, the Queen of Hearts in the second version of the play, has been having some problems with his costume as well.
“I’m gonna be 100 percent honest, it’s the dress,” Goodridge said. “Because the dress that I have to wear, it’s so heavy.”
Last week, after the first run through, the group was released for a break. I caught Younts for a quick interview while the kids were playing a game. I asked him what challenges he faces directing younger thespians.
“I think sometimes the challenge is channeling the enthusiasm in the right way,” Younts said. “I think that is a really valuable lesson for them in life, which is how do I channel my enthusiasm for anything in a positive direction, rather than something that is disruptive.”
I then asked how he works with the kids to bring their characters to life.
“A lot of it is kind of tapping into who they are naturally, and finding the right role to fit the person, and not the right person to fit the role,” Younts said. “And then sometimes you’ll just get some surprises. Helmi’s little southern gentleman accent is gonna be one of those delightful moments for everyone in the audience who knows her. It just tickles me to no end every time she opens her mouth and speaks.”
Finally, I asked Younts how participation in theater can benefit kids.
“I think it helps to build self confidence,” Younts said. “It helps them to find a positive way to use their emotions, to express their emotions. There are life lessons about being a good listener, not being judgmental, being curious instead.”
For some, participation in this program is more than a way to pass the summertime.
Sorren Denning-Barnes plays the Mad Hatter, and will be moving to Washington at the end of the summer. He thinks the play will be a good opportunity to say goodbye to Petersburg.
“I’ll be up on stage in front of a bunch of people,” Denning-Barnes said. “ I’ve never done a theater camp here, and wanted to try it out.”
As we move further down the rabbit hole towards opening night, emotions are ramping up in the cast. Both Alice’s, Jozlyn Turland and Evynne Thomas, are eager for their debut.
“It’s going to be fun,” Turland said. “We got some people playing roles [that] really get into their characters. I’ve laughed a lot during practice.”
“I’m really nervous,” Thomas added. “But really excited, because this is the first play I’ve ever been in.”
Even the Cheshire Kittens, Helmi Versteeg and Blayre Phillips, are determined not to be scaredy cats.
“I am scared to speak in public,” Versteeg said. “So I thought theater camp would help my shyness of public speaking.”
“I sometimes feel like I’m at the real recital, but then I have to say ‘line’,” Phillips said. “But then I remember that it’s just for fun, and it’s okay if you mess up – sometimes. Because everybody makes mistakes.”
“And it grows your brain.” Barosy Flor, her friend, adds.
The performance is scheduled for this evening at the High School Auditorium. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., with the show beginning at 5:00 p.m. The event is free and all are invited to attend.
