Imagine a world where “Alice in Wonderland” characters mingle with limerick legends such as “an old man with an owl” and the outcome might resemble the “Necessary Nonsense” being staged by local middle school students this weekend.
The debut play by Theater Alaska Kids Company will be performed at 6:30 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday at the KTOO Studios, and noon Sunday at the University of Alaska Southeast Egan Library. This play was adapted from the writings of Lewis Carroll of “Alice in Wonderland” fame and Edward Lear who compiled 109 limerick characters into “The Book of Nonsense.”
“Necessary Nonsense” is an ensemble piece being put on by middle schoolers and it has been a huge learning experience for them, Elizabeth Pisel-Davis, the play’s creator and director, said Wednesday.
“They’ve learned to tap into their creative selves,” she said.
Rehearsals started in January and all the kids chose to be a part of this play as an extracurricular activity.
“We really talk about the tools of the actor, like concentration and collaboration, and really being the boss of our brains…that focus on staying in character and living in that world,” Pisel-Davis said.
Cast members are Aurelia Hilbert, Caisa Spickler, Daryl Lagundino, Dylan Court, Ellie Lewis, Ellison Ruffridge, Emil Mackey, Emily Feliciano-Soto, Freja Dukes, Grace Blair, Isla Brewer, Mae Roters, Maple Mulvey, Natalie Fortier, Nora DeSlover, Vance Hilbert, Winter Merrell and Zhuji McFarlin.
Admission to all shows is free, with donations to Theater Alaska accepted.
• Molly Johnson can be contacted via editor@juneauempire.com
Nora DeSlover at a rehearsal of “Necessary Nonsense,” a Theater Alaska production debuting Friday. (Photo courtesy of Theatre Alaska)
