Grade 12 students Kristen Greigson and Connor Phillips are stepping into the spotlight for their final high school performance as the leads in Collège Stonewall Collegiate’s upcoming production of Alice by Heart.
Grade 12 leads Connor Phillips, left, and Kristen Greigson, right, rehearse their favourite scene in Alice par le cœur, Collège Stonewall Collegiate’s production, on March 5
After four years of participating in theatre, both Greigson and Phillips say taking on the starring roles in their graduating year feels especially meaningful.
“For it being my final year and having been involved in theatre since Grade 9, it’s really special,” Greigson said.
Phillips agreed, noting the role is something he had long hoped for.
“It feels good to be able to play a high-level character after years of practice, just watching and wishing to be that person,” he said.
Directed by teachers Kendra Obach and Lindsey Weber, the production has required weeks of rehearsals as the cast learned their lines, songs and choreography.
Alice by Heart is a heartfelt re-imagining of Alice in Wonderland, bringing familiar characters to life in a new setting.
Greigson plays Alice Spencer, a 15-year-old girl living during the London Blitz who escapes into the world of Alice in Wonderland.
“She’s been obsessed with Alice in Wonderland since she was very little,” Greigson explained. “The story is that she takes her best friend Alfred into the world of Alice in Wonderland, and all of the people in the underground bunker transform into those characters.”
Phillips plays Alfred Hallam, as well as the White Rabbit and March Hare. His character, he explained, is battling tuberculosis and longs to return to the world he once shared with Alice.
“He wants to relive the world they had as children and maybe escape the sickness while he’s running through Wonderland,” Phillips said.
Greigson said one of the biggest challenges of the role is that she remains on stage for nearly the entire production.
“A lot of my lines start the scenes, so I have to know which scene and song is coming next and where I’m supposed to be during the blackouts,” she said. “The story is written with a lot of rhymes, so remembering which line goes where can be challenging.”
Despite the challenge, both students say performing alongside their classmates is the most rewarding part.
“This is my people, my group,” Phillips said. “We get to hang out, have fun and put on a show for everyone to see. Being the main male role makes it exciting to play a character you never thought you’d get to play.”
The production also carries deeper emotional themes than previous school shows.
Greigson hopes audiences will experience and enjoy the magic of live theatre.
“There’s something so different about seeing a live show and sharing that experience with other people,” she said. “This show is very heartfelt and nostalgic with all of the Alice in Wonderland moments. People will recognize those characters and remember them.”
Phillips hopes the performance leaves audiences amazed.
“This is a big performance. It takes so much time to build,” he said. “You just lay it all on the line, and I hope the audience jaw drops and is blown away.”
Before each performance, the cast gathers backstage for a ritual to calm their nerves and build energy.
“We all get together backstage for a big energy boost,” Greigson said. “We let out a big yell to get the nerves out, and after that we’re all just really connected.”
Four performances of Alice by Heart, written by Steven Sater and Jessie Nelson, with music by Duncan Sheik and lyrics by Steven Sater, will be staged at the Quarry Park Heritage Arts Centre from March 18 to 20.
The opening performance will be a matinee on March 18 at 12:30 p.m., with tickets priced at $10. Evening performances will take place at 7 p.m. on March 18, 19 and 20, with tickets available for $15.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/alice-by-heart.
Please note the production includes references and imagery related to war and drugs, as well as themes of grief and mild language.
