The auditorium was filled with eager parents, family members, and students ready to enjoy the musical Alice by Heart. As soon as the lights dimmed, you could feel the excitement rising in the room.
“I thought the singing and acting was phenomenal. It helped make sense of what was always a confusing story, but this was cool in its own way,” one parent said. “I will absolutely come back and watch more.”
These performances have many positive impacts on the actors. Freshman Amelia Machanic, who played the Mad Hatter, said that expanding friendships, becoming more confident, and trying new things outside one’s comfort zone.
“It’s really cool to be in a show with so many dedicated people who also love it,” Machanic added.
People also commented on how the story was different from the original one.
“What they did with the choreography, especially with the dancing, was super cool,” senior Hailey Messier said. “And I think that we kind of know the story of Alice in Wonderland, but setting it in the time of World War 2 was interesting.”
“It’s really cool to see people doing something that they’re passionate about because they put so much work into it,” Messier said. “I know every year there’s so much that goes into the plays and the musicals.”
Along with EHS theater opportunities, students have found other theater groups.
“This is the third musical I have been a part of at Essex High School,” junior crew member Isabelle Owens said. “I’ve also done other shows with a private theater company in Burlington called the Very Merry Theater. I acted in Rent and in Little Shop of Horrors.”
“I think there’s an energy shift as time goes on from opening night to the final show,” Owens added. “I think opening night is when there’s the most nerves, and then Sunday, which is our matinee, is the show where everyone’s just kind of happiest and just calmest.”
All performances have a variety of roles and parts needed to make them come to life.
“I was part of the ensemble which is basically just background characters or add-ons to main characters,” freshman Olivia Smith said. “I think being in the ensemble for your freshman year is a great idea for someone like me who wasn’t sure exactly how things ran at the high school and wanted to feel things out. Theater turned into my safe place along with the kids and adults there to make you feel safe, heard, and appreciated throughout the whole time you’re there.” 
Freshman Piper Goodkind appreciated how it all came together and that everyone had a part with importance.
“The show overall roped me in and I loved the level of connection people seemed to have with their characters and of course seeing all of the amazing talent,” freshman Piper Goodkind said. “I plan to come back to see more shows as the years go on, and I recommend others do as well because it is very impressive to see everyone’s hard work and practice be produced and carried out on stage.”
Being a member of the ensemble helped freshman Nathan Lee to meet more people while also pushing him outside of his comfort zone.
“It was a bit stressful because sometimes the choreography changed, but it did end up working out, and it looked a bit better,” Lee said. “It definitely helped me meet more people like me that like doing acting and singing and doing other things in the arts.”
Many members of the audience expressed that this show was one of a kind, and they are ready and excited for upcoming shows.
