The fall musical was a hit, not only for the audience, but also for the students that made this production possible. This fall, the theater community took to the stage and put on an incredible production of Alice by Heart. It may have looked like a breeze when watching from the seats, but behind the stage, the cast and crew were working endlessly to put on an amazing performance. 

The process of creating a stage production is a challenging feat. Once the characters are cast, actors leave the school day behind and start rehearsals. 

“Rehearsals are almost every day after school, but earlier on in the process, not everyone is called to every rehearsal,” sophomore Caroline Sanderson-Doughty said. 

Sanderson-Doughty played the Knave of Diamonds in Alice by Heart. 

“The closer you get to opening night, the more frequently you’ll be called to rehearsals because that’s when we start running everything from top to bottom,” Sanderson-Doughty said. 

During rehearsals, actors go over scenes, memorize lines and sing. They also learn the dance portions of the performance. They end up doing this hundreds of times, but it all comes together once they hit the stage. 

While the actors are on stage, the tech crew does the work behind the scenes. 

“We are typically called every B day. Sometimes this varies depending on what each team is working on,” Natalie Edwards, a junior and costume designer, said. 

“My job consists of sketching design concepts, picking things out from our costume closet, thrifting costumes, making things, mending/tailoring clothes and, once the shows start, running quick changes backstage,” Edwards said. 

The tech crew also helps design the lighting and sounds for the show, as well as the set. Although the tech crew doesn’t get to be on stage, they contribute just as much to the show as the actors. 

The shows for Alice by Heart took place on Nov. 14, 16, 21 and 23. Overall, the cast and crew seemed very happy with how the shows went. 

“Performances have been great! We’re really excited and proud to finally be putting on this show that we’ve been working on for months,” Sanderson-Doughty said. 

Edwards agreed.

“It’s resonating with a lot of people, too. I think they’re really enjoying it,”  Edwards said. 

Putting on a production such as this one is definitely a time commitment. Actors and crew have been working for months, and the work has finally paid off. 

The fall musical is also encouraging some students to join the theater community. for Sanderson-Doughty and Edwards, they have found a community they love.  Edwards joined when she was a freshman and has never looked back.

“Getting to work with such talented people all the time is so inspiring,” Edwards said. 

Sanderson-Doughty agreed that being part of theater at TuHS has been a really positive experience. 

“Thanks to the theater community, I have grown a lot and learned a lot about myself,” Sanderson-Doughty said. 

So when is the next show? Auditions for actors and crew members for the spring play, The Crucible, were on Dec. 2. Information about the production is available on the TuHS Thespians Instagram page, or go talk to theater teacher Jenn Hunter in the auditorium.