playbill vip

Alice laughed. ‘There’s no use trying,’ she said: ‘one can’t believe impossible things.’  ‘I daresay you haven’t had much practice,’ said the Queen. ‘When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” ~ Lewis Carroll

“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass” are two of the most well-known and quoted works of children’s literature ever. Written by Lewis Carroll, in 1865 and 1872 respectively, generations have enjoyed these imaginative stories in countless adaptations of plays, radio shows, movies, and books. Through iconic characters such as the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts, and Mad Hatter and March Hare, Carroll played with the art of nonsense, the wonder of childhood imagination, and the intelligent confusion of a child interacting with an impossibly mystifying world.

It is a story that was written for a child, but is not a children’s book; not really. It is popular because it deals with those things we all deal with and always have. Finding our identity and meaning in a world where the rules of the game and the meanings of things sometimes seems very unreal and absurd. As we find our way through Wonderland, Alice moves from pondering the caterpillar’s question of "who ARE you?" to knowing exactly who she is. Her confidence is raised and ultimately, she claims her position on the throne, knowing who she really is. It is a journey we all go through in life at one time or another. It is this reason Alice in Wonderland has appealed to so many generations. It is a universal story with many layers of meaning one can come back to time and time again. 

My own journey down the rabbit hole of this play has been very rewarding yet quite challenging. I have been blessed to work alongside the most dedicated, creative, generous and flexible team with Ms. Smullen and Ms. Kensey.  Our Administration teams and PTA have shown the greatest support which is greatly appreciated as this level of theater programming is rare across many school districts. Our parent volunteers are the best and second to none with their dedication to helping in so many ways both seen and unseen.

But alas the cast, our wonderfully talented students,  who challenge yet inspire me have again made me quite proud. I am a better person for having worked with all of them.  This production brought together over 100 people from the Capitol Hill Community and is helping to create a community that works together for a single purpose of bringing to life these classic tales. The magic of theater is not just in the lights, music and acting on opening night but the forging of bonds and unity of purpose that comes from creating art on the stage. We are proving that working together, great things can happen and that nothing is impossible.  

By coming to our show, you have joined our community.  Thank you for coming and supporting the performing arts.  Please help us continue offering high quality programs to our students by inviting your friends and family to join us at this or another production.  Please enjoy the show, and remember the wise words of the Cheshire Cat: “We’re all mad here…you must be too, or you wouldn’t have come!”

Tori Pergerson