This summer, Odyssey Theatre for the Young of Art invites everyone to experience their upcoming show, Alice in Wonderland Through the Looking Glass. Local students from Mount Vernon, Lisbon, and Solon have been busy rehearsing and preparing for this summer’s exciting production.
The performances will take place at the Mount Vernon Middle School Theatre, 525 Palisades Rd SW, on Friday, June 27 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 28 at 2 p.m. General admission tickets will be available at the door for $6.
The show is the culminating performance of Odyssey’s three-week summer drama workshop. Directed by longtime local educator and theatre professional Karla Steffens, the production features a cast of between 75 and 100 kids, ranging from kindergarteners to high schoolers, with support from interns and tech crew members behind the scenes.
“We don’t hold formal auditions. We get to know the kids through games and readings the first couple of days and cast them based on who fits the role best,” Steffens explained.
That thoughtful and inclusive approach has helped Odyssey thrive for 25 years. Since its founding in 2001, the program has welcomed children of all ages and backgrounds, offering not only acting experience but a supportive, friendship-building environment.
“The Odyssey workshop is an incredible amount of work. The kids come here and work hard by learning their lines,
learning the blocking, and understanding the theater terms,” Steffens said. “I call it magic, but it’s really a lot of effort and creativity from everyone involved.”
Scarlett Musser, an eighth grader from Mount Vernon, is a cast member in the upcoming show.
“I have a lot of friends that I only get to see in Odys- sey, so I love coming back each year to see them,” Musser said. “I’m most excited for the opening night. Karla makes everything so fun and it’s honestly amazing how she’s able to put this together in three weeks.”
Behind the scenes, Odyssey’s team of interns — made up of high school and college students — help guide the younger performers. Meg Dye, a recent Mount Vernon high school graduate and Odyssey intern, says the older students play an essential role in production, from lighting to backstage management and character coaching.
“Our interns really get to know the kids and help them grow as performers,” Dye said. “It’s fun and fast paced, but we all love seeing the kids happy as the show comes to life.”
Odyssey Theatre’s summer workshop meets Monday through Thursday from noon to 3 p.m. The goal isn’t just to stage a play; it’s to teach theatre in a way that respects each child’s creativity, energy, and potential. Veronica Yeater, also in eighth grade and a cast member in the show, shared similar feelings.
“I love Odyssey because we do so many unique shows that I love, like this year combining two shows into one,” Yeater said. “There are just so many people you can meet and build friendships with that last forever. We have so much fun with each other, and it’s overall such an exciting and warm environment to be a part of.”
That sense of community is what keeps students like Musser, Yeater, and Dye coming back year after year, and why audiences can expect another magical performance from this beloved local tradition.
As Steffens puts it, “Theatre gives kids the chance to grow, connect, and imagine, and that’s what makes this program so special.”
CAST (in order of appearance; shared roles first name performs Friday, second name Saturday):
• Alice: Ronnie Yeater, Scarlett Musser
• White Rabbit: Hector Klaus, Ellie Smith
• Mouse: Lydia Dye
• Dodo: Zuzu Blacharski
• Lory: Autumn Campagna
• Eaglet: Fia Moore
• Duck: Lily Olen
• Catepillar: Gunnar Nichols
• Fish Footman: Harold Klaus
• Frog Footman: Elijah Forest
• Duchess: Kenley Modracek, Aubree Meester • Baby: Winnie Kuntz, Hope Stahlberg
• Cheshire Cat: Evie Dye, Felicity Frost
March Hare: Benjamin Micheel-Damos, Desmond Bray • Mad Hatter: Oscar Kuntz, Eli Bosenberg
• Dormouse: Gwen Borrison, Ingrid Virlee
• Two of Spades: Maya Jo Butz
• Five of Spades: Reagan Ireland • Seven of Spades: Lila Nichols
• Two of Hearts: Mack Thurn
• King of Hearts: Leroy Klaus
• Queen of Hearts: Marlie Willems
• Hudge: Axl Bagby
• Gryphon: Cecelia Jost, Lucy Wolter
• Mock Turtle: Cecilia Rife, Lucy Gregg
• Knave of Hearts: Tori Lamb, Hope Stahlberg
• Red Chess Queen: Jo Barnes, Ava Zarifkar
• Train Guard: Leo Nichols
• Seven of Hearts: Winnie Kuntz
• Gentle”man” in White: Piper Lewis, Maxine Biderman • Goat: Denali “Nali” Woolley-Hallam
• Beetle Voice: Brielle Ruff
• Gentle Voice: Axl Bagby
• Another Voice: Alex Stineman
• Hoarse Voice: Georgia Bostwick
• Voices: Axl Bagby
• Tweedledee: Oscar Kuntz, Haley Hedges
• Tweedledum: Elliott Micheel, Hayden Hedges
• White Chess Queen: Helena Barnes, Mae Veeder
• Sheep: Maxine Biderman
• Humpty Dumpty: Anaiah Disbrow
• White Knight: Lewis Micheel
• Horse: Marlie Willems and Lydia Dye
• Ensemble (fish, water, jury, red queen court, playing cards, banquet guests): Clementine Barnes, Pearl Gregg, Rose Micheel-Damos, Mack Thurn, Winnie Kuntz, Hope Stahlberg, Katie Stineman, Alvin Bostwick, Georgia Bostwick, Nora Wolter, Kylie Salier, Gwen Borrison, Denali Wooley-Hallam, Mack Thurn
STAFF:
• Stage Manager: Meg Dye
• Assistant Stage Managers: ASM/SL) Emery Willems and Danny Dye (ASM/SR)
• Assistant Director: Emery Willems
• Musical Director/Pianist/Foley): Marlena Rodenberg
• Light Design & Board Operator (LD/LBO): Tommy Ferguson
• Light Hang/Focus: Tommy Ferguson, Chester Rood, Danny Dye
• Sound Board Operator: Marlena Rodenberg
• Costumes/Set Design/Direction: KM Steffens
• Specialty Makeup: Kim Benesh
• Interns, Acterns, Run Crew/ Acting Coaches/ Props Painting/Set Build: Luiza Blacharski, Meg Dye, Marlena Rodenberg, Danny Dye, Chester Rood, Briley Sellnau, Emery Willems, Dashiell Yamanishi, Tommy Ferguson, Katie Whitehead, Fiona Calcara, Sunny Rian, Renee Vig, Tech Students: Henry Dye, Cruz Vega (and helper: Zane Vega).