Find local events wherever you are. THE SHERIDAN PRESS thesheridanpress.c See what's happening in Northeast Wyoming 144 Grinnell Plaza, Sheridan, WY | 307-672-2431 | thesheridanpress.com SCENE Alice by A12 Saturday, April 12, 2025 The Sheridan Press thesheridanpress.com Heart CLINT WOOD I THE SHERIDAN PRESS Aspen Hansen playing Red Cross nurse and Queen of Hearts rehearses for the Sheridan College Theater presentation of "Alice by Heart" in the WYO Performing Arts and Education Center Thursday, April 10, 2025. The show will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday, April 18 and at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19. Sheridan College explores themes of grief, escapism BY GEORGIA LODEWYK GEORGIA.LODEWYK @THESHERIDANPRESS.COM SHERIDAN Lewis Carroll's 1865 classic "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" follows a young girl who dreams of falling down the rabbit hole and entering the fantastical world of Wonderland. But the off-Broadway musical "Alice by Heart" takes the familiar story to a different, older audience. A teenaged Alice and her best friend, Albert, use the story to escape the harsh realities of World War II. Those hid- ing out in the bunker with them morph into the singing and dancing characters from "Alice in Wonderland." It's a story Sheridan College Theater and Dance will bring to life for their spring production, balancing the fun, fantastical elements of the story with themes of tragedy and loss. "I think it's a really beautiful presentation of a tragic story," said Assistant Director Amanda Allyn. "There's a lot of moments of comedy and there's a lot of beauty in the movement and the music." Alice's love interest, Alfred, plays The White Rabbit while in Wonderland the character most famously known for repeat- ing "I'm Late, I'm late, for a very important date!" and Left: Laci Nissen playing Alice Spencer and Aspen Hansen playing Red Cross nurse and Queen of Hearts rehearse for the Sheridan College Theater presentation of "Alice by Heart" in the WYO Performing Arts and Education Center Thursday, April 10, 2025. The show will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19 at 2 p.m. Right: From left, SJ Grote, Jacob Sullivan playing Caterpillar 2 and 1, and Laci Nissen playing Alice Spencer rehearse. leading Alice down the rab- bit hole. Like The White Rabbit, Alfred is also running out of time. He's contracted tuberculosis in the bunker, and his illness threatens to take him out of the story and Alice's life. It's a reality Alice doesn't want to face. Yet as the story goes, no one can stay small forever. "This (is a) story of getting older and having to make that transition from childish and naive things to really dealing with life," Allyn said. "At the end, Alice does have to accept that she can't stop time. She can't stop Alfred's sickness, but she can hang on to the time that they've had." Allyn takes over as direc tor from Theater Instructor Lauren Graffin Estrada, who left on maternity leave for the rest of the spring semes ter: Allyn said the production has a small cast of only 12 students. "I've seen a lot of growth," Allyn said. "This group of students in particular, they're all very passionate and serious about theater." The 90-minute production is not without moving parts. Almost all of the 20 songs include a dance number to go with it, usually involv- ing every cast member. Freshman theater and dance major Jacob Sullivan, who plays Angus in the bun- ker and the Caterpillar in Wonderland, said the cast has organized additional dance practices outside of class time to prepare for the show. Music for "Alice by Heart" was written by Duncan Sheik, a 90s alter native composer who won a Tony Award for his work on the musical "Spring Awakening." Sheridan College Dance Instructor Stephanie Koltiska choreo graphed each dance number to fit the skills and talents of the Sheridan College cast. "It is not your typical Broadway Jazz hands music or choreography, which is why I think we were all drawn to the show," Allyn said. "Stephanie is just a beautiful choreographer, and I feel like with this show, she gets to really do some cre- ative, beautiful movement." Freshman Aspen Hansen, who plays a Red Cross nurse and the Queen of Hearts, said the dance numbers have been fun to tackle as a cast, as many involve lifts and synchronized movements. Hansen said the show accom plishes the fanciful while still taking on a grittier tone. "When you see that it's a show about 'Alice in Wonderland," you think, 'oh my gosh, this is going to be so happy, very kiddish and stuff," Hansen said. "But I like that it takes a darker twist." Sullivan said the show explores the themes of escapism and acceptance in a way that can resonate with audiences. "In a broader sense, I think it gives you an example of the messages you can pull from art," Sullivan said. "A lot of times, some things are just looked at (for) entertain- ment value. And I think this is an incredibly entertaining show. I think it's also an incredibly teaching show." Find local events wherever you are . THE SHERIDAN PRESS thesheridanpress.c See what's happening in Northeast Wyoming 144 Grinnell Plaza , Sheridan , WY | 307-672-2431 | thesheridanpress.com SCENE Alice by A12 Saturday , April 12 , 2025 The Sheridan Press thesheridanpress.com Heart CLINT WOOD I THE SHERIDAN PRESS Aspen Hansen playing Red Cross nurse and Queen of Hearts rehearses for the Sheridan College Theater presentation of " Alice by Heart " in the WYO Performing Arts and Education Center Thursday , April 10 , 2025. The show will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday , April 18 and at 2 p.m. Saturday , April 19 . Sheridan College explores themes of grief , escapism BY GEORGIA LODEWYK GEORGIA.LODEWYK @ THESHERIDANPRESS.COM SHERIDAN Lewis Carroll's 1865 classic " Alice's Adventures in Wonderland " follows a young girl who dreams of falling down the rabbit hole and entering the fantastical world of Wonderland . But the off - Broadway musical " Alice by Heart " takes the familiar story to a different , older audience . A teenaged Alice and her best friend , Albert , use the story to escape the harsh realities of World War II . Those hid- ing out in the bunker with them morph into the singing and dancing characters from " Alice in Wonderland . " It's a story Sheridan College Theater and Dance will bring to life for their spring production , balancing the fun , fantastical elements of the story with themes of tragedy and loss . " I think it's a really beautiful presentation of a tragic story , " said Assistant Director Amanda Allyn . " There's a lot of moments of comedy and there's a lot of beauty in the movement and the music . " Alice's love interest , Alfred , plays The White Rabbit while in Wonderland the character most famously known for repeat- ing " I'm Late , I'm late , for a very important date ! " and Left : Laci Nissen playing Alice Spencer and Aspen Hansen playing Red Cross nurse and Queen of Hearts rehearse for the Sheridan College Theater presentation of " Alice by Heart " in the WYO Performing Arts and Education Center Thursday , April 10 , 2025. The show will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday , April 18 and Saturday , April 19 at 2 p.m. Right : From left , SJ Grote , Jacob Sullivan playing Caterpillar 2 and 1 , and Laci Nissen playing Alice Spencer rehearse . leading Alice down the rab- bit hole . Like The White Rabbit , Alfred is also running out of time . He's contracted tuberculosis in the bunker , and his illness threatens to take him out of the story and Alice's life . It's a reality Alice doesn't want to face . Yet as the story goes , no one can stay small forever . " This ( is a ) story of getting older and having to make that transition from childish and naive things to really dealing with life , " Allyn said . " At the end , Alice does have to accept that she can't stop time . She can't stop Alfred's sickness , but she can hang on to the time that they've had . " Allyn takes over as direc tor from Theater Instructor Lauren Graffin Estrada , who left on maternity leave for the rest of the spring semes ter : Allyn said the production has a small cast of only 12 students . " I've seen a lot of growth , " Allyn said . " This group of students in particular , they're all very passionate and serious about theater . " The 90 - minute production is not without moving parts . Almost all of the 20 songs include a dance number to go with it , usually involv- ing every cast member . Freshman theater and dance major Jacob Sullivan , who plays Angus in the bun- ker and the Caterpillar in Wonderland , said the cast has organized additional dance practices outside of class time to prepare for the show . Music for " Alice by Heart " was written by Duncan Sheik , a 90s alter native composer who won a Tony Award for his work on the musical " Spring Awakening . " Sheridan College Dance Instructor Stephanie Koltiska choreo graphed each dance number to fit the skills and talents of the Sheridan College cast . " It is not your typical Broadway Jazz hands music or choreography , which is why I think we were all drawn to the show , " Allyn said . " Stephanie is just a beautiful choreographer , and I feel like with this show , she gets to really do some cre- ative , beautiful movement . " Freshman Aspen Hansen , who plays a Red Cross nurse and the Queen of Hearts , said the dance numbers have been fun to tackle as a cast , as many involve lifts and synchronized movements . Hansen said the show accom plishes the fanciful while still taking on a grittier tone . " When you see that it's a show about ' Alice in Wonderland , " you think , ' oh my gosh , this is going to be so happy , very kiddish and stuff , " Hansen said . " But I like that it takes a darker twist . " Sullivan said the show explores the themes of escapism and acceptance in a way that can resonate with audiences . " In a broader sense , I think it gives you an example of the messages you can pull from art , " Sullivan said . " A lot of times , some things are just looked at ( for ) entertain- ment value . And I think this is an incredibly entertaining show . I think it's also an incredibly teaching show . "