CenterStage is delighted to be returning to the Dairy Arts Center again for our 2026 summer mainstage production which will be presented in the 117-seat Grace Gamm theatre at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder. From the Tony® and Grammy® award-winning creators of Spring Awakening, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress), Alice by Heart is a touching musical inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
In the rubble of the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer’s budding teen life is turned upside down, and she and her dear friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland. As they travel through the tale, Alice by Heart explores the poignancy of first love, coming to terms with loss, and finding the courage to move forward. This world premiere musical encourages us all to celebrate the transformational power of the imagination, even in the harshest of times.
Adeleia is so excited to be in the Major Ensemble for Alice By Heart. Adeleia has previously played the roles of Small Alison (Vintage Theatre), Brigitta VonTrapp in Sound of Music and Bielka/Shprintze Swing in Fiddler on the Roof (BDT Stage), Susan Waverly, White Christmas, Marta VonTrapp in Sound of Music, and Jenny Scrooge in Scrooge (Candlelight Dinner Playhouse), Adeleia would like to thank her family for the continued support. Enjoy the show!
Adeleia is so excited to be in the Major Ensemble for Alice By Heart. Adeleia has previously played the roles of Small Alison (Vintage Theatre), Brigitta VonTrapp in Sound of Music and Bielka/Shprintze Swing in Fiddler on the Roof (BDT Stage), Susan Waverly, White Christmas, Marta VonTrapp in Sound of Music, and Jenny Scrooge in Scrooge (Candlelight Dinner Playhouse), Adeleia would like to thank her family for the continued support. Enjoy the show!
Addie Rood is delighted to be back once again at a Center Stage production. Addie has been in various productions and played many roles at Centerstage, some being, Belle-beauty and the beast, drowsy chaperone-the drowsy chaperone, and Hope Cladwell-Urinetown! She is going to be a sophomore at Monarch high school. She studies with Dana V for vocal education! She sends all the love to her friends, family coach, coaches, and teachers for helping her be where she is today! She is excited to be playing the queen of diamonds/ ensemble/ Clarissa, and hopes you enjoy the show!!
Addie Rood is delighted to be back once again at a Center Stage production. Addie has been in various productions and played many roles at Centerstage, some being, Belle-beauty and the beast, drowsy chaperone-the drowsy chaperone, and Hope Cladwell-Urinetown! She is going to be a sophomore at Monarch high school. She studies with Dana V for vocal education! She sends all the love to her friends, family coach, coaches, and teachers for helping her be where she is today! She is excited to be playing the queen of diamonds/ ensemble/ Clarissa, and hopes you enjoy the show!!
Adelynn is so glad to be included in this production of Alice by heart. This is her second time at Centerstage her first being their production of Hadestown as part of the worker chores. Recent productions she was also is include Into the woods as Rapunzel and Katherine in Newsies both directed Sam Ruby and Wednesday in the Addams Family directed by Chelsey Hanel, all through Melody musical theater company.
Adelynn is so glad to be included in this production of Alice by heart. This is her second time at Centerstage her first being their production of Hadestown as part of the worker chores. Recent productions she was also is include Into the woods as Rapunzel and Katherine in Newsies both directed Sam Ruby and Wednesday in the Addams Family directed by Chelsey Hanel, all through Melody musical theater company.
Alexis is excited to be in her third show with CenterStage, and is thrilled to be a part of this fantastic production! She has enjoyed developing and understanding this character throughout the process, and is so excited to share this story with you!
Alexis is excited to be in her third show with CenterStage, and is thrilled to be a part of this fantastic production! She has enjoyed developing and understanding this character throughout the process, and is so excited to share this story with you!
Amelia is so excited to be back at Center Stage for Alice by Heart! She last performed with this company as Edna in Bright Star. Other favorite credits include Matilda and Shrek with Monarch High School.
Amelia is so excited to be back at Center Stage for Alice by Heart! She last performed with this company as Edna in Bright Star. Other favorite credits include Matilda and Shrek with Monarch High School.
Anna Claire Jones (Red Cross Nurse/Red Queen and Minor Ensemble) is thrilled to be in her second show with Center Stage Theatre Company. Favorite credits include Shrek: The Musical and Matilda: The Musical at Monarch High School. She hopes you enjoy the show, and don’t lose your head! ;)
Anna Claire Jones (Red Cross Nurse/Red Queen and Minor Ensemble) is thrilled to be in her second show with Center Stage Theatre Company. Favorite credits include Shrek: The Musical and Matilda: The Musical at Monarch High School. She hopes you enjoy the show, and don’t lose your head! ;)
Anni Haakenson (Clarissa/Queen of Diamonds) is delighted to be making their debut at CenterStage Theatre Company. Her Favorite credits include Wednesday in The Addams Family, and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors at Skyline High School. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family, swimming in the river, and reading. She is so excited to be a part of the cast!
Anni Haakenson (Clarissa/Queen of Diamonds) is delighted to be making their debut at CenterStage Theatre Company. Her Favorite credits include Wednesday in The Addams Family, and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors at Skyline High School. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family, swimming in the river, and reading. She is so excited to be a part of the cast!
Brodie Halvorson is thrilled to be performing at CenterStage again! Past roles here include Aaron Samuels (Mean Girls Jr.), Ram’s Dad (Heathers), and Sergeant Fogarty/Ensemble (Chicago). One of his favorite past productions was with Boulder High, Big Fish (Fisherman/ensemble). Brodie will be a Junior at CSU Fort Collins, studying Health and Exercise Science, on the Pre-PT track. He’d like to give love and thanks to CenterStage, and friends and family for the support.
Brodie Halvorson is thrilled to be performing at CenterStage again! Past roles here include Aaron Samuels (Mean Girls Jr.), Ram’s Dad (Heathers), and Sergeant Fogarty/Ensemble (Chicago). One of his favorite past productions was with Boulder High, Big Fish (Fisherman/ensemble). Brodie will be a Junior at CSU Fort Collins, studying Health and Exercise Science, on the Pre-PT track. He’d like to give love and thanks to CenterStage, and friends and family for the support.
Caleb is beyond excited to be performing in Alice By Heart as Alfred! Caleb is a sophomore theatre major at Denver School of the Arts, and has a love for the performing arts! Caleb would like to dedicate this show to her family and friends who always push her to her limits and supporting her in her dreams and passions! This is an amazing show and she cannot wait for you to see it!
Cirrus (Angus/Caterpillar) is very excited to perform in their fourth show with CenterStage Theatre Company. Favorite credits include, the Prom as understudy Alyssa Greene with Arts Hub and Hadestown as Hermes with CenterStage. In their free time, they enjoy writing, drawing, and, hosting role playing games. This show is such a wonderful chance to express emotions in complex ways.
Cirrus (Angus/Caterpillar) is very excited to perform in their fourth show with CenterStage Theatre Company. Favorite credits include, the Prom as understudy Alyssa Greene with Arts Hub and Hadestown as Hermes with CenterStage. In their free time, they enjoy writing, drawing, and, hosting role playing games. This show is such a wonderful chance to express emotions in complex ways.
Clare McDonald is so excited to be back performing with Center Stage! Her favorite credits include Elsa in Frozen Jr, and a Sardine in SpongeBob the Musical. In her free time she loves to dance, do gymnastics, and bake. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Clare McDonald is so excited to be back performing with Center Stage! Her favorite credits include Elsa in Frozen Jr, and a Sardine in SpongeBob the Musical. In her free time she loves to dance, do gymnastics, and bake. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Colton is so excited for his debut performance with Centerstage. Recent credits include Cinderella and Addams Family with Horizon High School. In his free time he likes to draw and write. He hopes the show truly touches your heart.
Colton is so excited for his debut performance with Centerstage. Recent credits include Cinderella and Addams Family with Horizon High School. In his free time he likes to draw and write. He hopes the show truly touches your heart.
Daisy O’Brien is so excited to be performing in her absolute dream show, with the company she started her theatre journey with. She is so delighted to bring you all on a journey she has loved so incredibly much, and hopes you all enjoy the show as much as she does. Thank you to Melissa Williams for being the most amazing person ever, and of course, Samantha, for being the best mom. @daisy_d_obrien
Ella (Young Alfred,Pigeon) is so excited to be back performing with CenterStage Theatre Company. Recent shows include Mean Girls with Center Stage, Hadestown with Center Stage, and Beetlejuice with CenterStage. In her free time, she likes too play soccer, wrestle, and make really long hopscotches. She is so grateful for her family, friends and everyone that made this show possible!
Ella (Young Alfred,Pigeon) is so excited to be back performing with CenterStage Theatre Company. Recent shows include Mean Girls with Center Stage, Hadestown with Center Stage, and Beetlejuice with CenterStage. In her free time, she likes too play soccer, wrestle, and make really long hopscotches. She is so grateful for her family, friends and everyone that made this show possible!
Evelyn Shelton (Young Alice/Major Ensemble) is thrilled to be performing her third show at CenterStage! Recent credits include Young Bonnie in Bonnie and Clyde (Bright Heart Stages), Brigitta in The Sound of Music (Loveland Opera Theatre), Worker Chorus in Hadestown (CenterStage), and Young Anastasia in Anastasia (Arts Hub). When not performing, Evelyn enjoys playing guitar, reading, tennis, and spending time with her brothers. She hopes you enjoy this beautifully tragic story! Romans 8:38-39.
Evelyn Shelton (Young Alice/Major Ensemble) is thrilled to be performing her third show at CenterStage! Recent credits include Young Bonnie in Bonnie and Clyde (Bright Heart Stages), Brigitta in The Sound of Music (Loveland Opera Theatre), Worker Chorus in Hadestown (CenterStage), and Young Anastasia in Anastasia (Arts Hub). When not performing, Evelyn enjoys playing guitar, reading, tennis, and spending time with her brothers. She hopes you enjoy this beautifully tragic story! Romans 8:38-39.
Gabby is a Sophomore at legacy high school, Alice by heart is her 8th show and first audition only show, she is thrilled to be part of this production.
Gabby is a Sophomore at legacy high school, Alice by heart is her 8th show and first audition only show, she is thrilled to be part of this production.
Hayden McDonald (Dr. Butridge/Jabberwock) is delighted to be back performing with CenterStage Theatre Company. Most recently Hayden has performed as SpongeBob SquarePants in SpongeBob the Musical at Monarch High School and Nigel Bottom in Something Rotten at Northglenn Youth Theatre. Past Centerstage credits include Max in Bright Star and Patrick Martin in Little Shop of Horrors. In his free time Hayden likes to play music on guitar and piano, as well as hang out with friends. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Hayden McDonald (Dr. Butridge/Jabberwock) is delighted to be back performing with CenterStage Theatre Company. Most recently Hayden has performed as SpongeBob SquarePants in SpongeBob the Musical at Monarch High School and Nigel Bottom in Something Rotten at Northglenn Youth Theatre. Past Centerstage credits include Max in Bright Star and Patrick Martin in Little Shop of Horrors. In his free time Hayden likes to play music on guitar and piano, as well as hang out with friends. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Ian is beyond excited to be making his debut performance with CenterStage Theatre Company in Alice By Heart. Recent credits include Orpheus (Hadestown/MHYT & Arts Hub), Nigel (Something Rotten/MHYT), and Ensemble (High School Musical/MHYT). In his free time, he likes to write, create short films, play guitar and sing. He would like to thank his friends, family, cast, and directors for their continued support. He appreciates you coming to watch this amazing, soul touching show!
Islay is so excited to be portraying the role of Caterpillar 2 in Alice By Heart! Islay has been a part of productions with CenterStage Theater company for 5 years now. Some of her favorite prior roles include; Veronica (Heathers: teen edition), Karen/Janis (Mean girls: the musical), Ariel (The Little Mermaid), and many more. In her free time, Islay enjoys sewing, writing poetry, songwriting, guitar, and reading! Now sit back, relax, and chill in the regrets!
Islay is so excited to be portraying the role of Caterpillar 2 in Alice By Heart! Islay has been a part of productions with CenterStage Theater company for 5 years now. Some of her favorite prior roles include; Veronica (Heathers: teen edition), Karen/Janis (Mean girls: the musical), Ariel (The Little Mermaid), and many more. In her free time, Islay enjoys sewing, writing poetry, songwriting, guitar, and reading! Now sit back, relax, and chill in the regrets!
Jordan (Dodgy/Duchess) is so excited debut with CenterStage. Past credits have included Bobby in “A Chorus Line” and Newt in “The Red Velvet Cake War”. Whilst playing the duchess simultaneously with dodgy, coupled with the absurdist comedy, acting ability has been challenged in great ways. Apart from theatre, you can find them playing cello, crocheting, and enjoying nature and life. Stay whimsical, and have fun with life! Enjoy the show!
Jordan (Dodgy/Duchess) is so excited debut with CenterStage. Past credits have included Bobby in “A Chorus Line” and Newt in “The Red Velvet Cake War”. Whilst playing the duchess simultaneously with dodgy, coupled with the absurdist comedy, acting ability has been challenged in great ways. Apart from theatre, you can find them playing cello, crocheting, and enjoying nature and life. Stay whimsical, and have fun with life! Enjoy the show!
Kathryn is very excited to take part in her second Centerstage show! Some previous credits include “Little Shop of Horrors” (Mushnik), “Something Rotten” (Portia), “The Addams Family” (Alice), and “The Wizard of Oz” (Dorothy). She would like to thank her family for their ongoing support, and kindly request that the audience refrain from the use of laser pointers, catnip, and anything that makes a jingling sound, as her authentically cat-like performance will be swiftly derailed.
Kathryn is very excited to take part in her second Centerstage show! Some previous credits include “Little Shop of Horrors” (Mushnik), “Something Rotten” (Portia), “The Addams Family” (Alice), and “The Wizard of Oz” (Dorothy). She would like to thank her family for their ongoing support, and kindly request that the audience refrain from the use of laser pointers, catnip, and anything that makes a jingling sound, as her authentically cat-like performance will be swiftly derailed.
Khloe D’Auray (Tabatha/Cheshire) is so honored to be back performing with CenterStage Theatre Company. Favorite credits include Hadestown with CenterStage as Eurydice, The Miser at Denver School of the Arts as Elise, and Museum at DSA as 1st Pass/Zoe. In her lonesome, she loves to record music and learn languages. She can’t wait to fall down the hole with this incredible cast and crew, and hopes you’ll do the same from the comfort of your seat!
Khloe D’Auray (Tabatha/Cheshire) is so honored to be back performing with CenterStage Theatre Company. Favorite credits include Hadestown with CenterStage as Eurydice, The Miser at Denver School of the Arts as Elise, and Museum at DSA as 1st Pass/Zoe. In her lonesome, she loves to record music and learn languages. She can’t wait to fall down the hole with this incredible cast and crew, and hopes you’ll do the same from the comfort of your seat!
Lacy Thompson (she/they) is thrilled to be returning to CenterStage in Alice By Heart! Being a part of this production has been one of the highlights of their summer. Some of her favorite credits include Twelfth Night (Viola), Chicago (Mona, U/S Velma Kelly), and Matilda (Mrs. Wormwood). Lacy would like to thank the ABH team, her friends, family, and Melissa Williams for supporting her through her personal and professional journeys. IG: lacy.thompson.official
Lacy Thompson (she/they) is thrilled to be returning to CenterStage in Alice By Heart! Being a part of this production has been one of the highlights of their summer. Some of her favorite credits include Twelfth Night (Viola), Chicago (Mona, U/S Velma Kelly), and Matilda (Mrs. Wormwood). Lacy would like to thank the ABH team, her friends, family, and Melissa Williams for supporting her through her personal and professional journeys. IG: lacy.thompson.official
Lily (Nigel/Dormouse) so excited to be a part of this amazing cast of Alice by Heart! She has been performing with CenterStage for many years, and was most recently seen as Cady in Mean Girls, Lydia in Beetlejuice and a worker in Hadestown. When she's not doing theatre you can find her playing guitar, listening to music, or making crafts. She hopes you enjoy this incredible show!
Lily (Nigel/Dormouse) so excited to be a part of this amazing cast of Alice by Heart! She has been performing with CenterStage for many years, and was most recently seen as Cady in Mean Girls, Lydia in Beetlejuice and a worker in Hadestown. When she's not doing theatre you can find her playing guitar, listening to music, or making crafts. She hopes you enjoy this incredible show!
Lucy LeCuyer (Ensemble) is so excited to be performing again with CenterStage! Some previous credits include Worker in Hadestown: Teen Edition (CenterStage), Hunyak in Chicago: Teen Edition (CenterStage), and a Sardine in The SpongeBob Musical at Monarch High School. When not in rehearsals, Lucy loves to dance and hang out with friends! She hopes you enjoy the show!
Lucy LeCuyer (Ensemble) is so excited to be performing again with CenterStage! Some previous credits include Worker in Hadestown: Teen Edition (CenterStage), Hunyak in Chicago: Teen Edition (CenterStage), and a Sardine in The SpongeBob Musical at Monarch High School. When not in rehearsals, Lucy loves to dance and hang out with friends! She hopes you enjoy the show!
Micah is thrilled to be in this incredible production of Alice by Heart. Micah is a Sophomore at Centaurus High School and has been in many different productions over the years. Some of his favorite shows he’s done recently include Bram Stokers Dracula (Centaurus High School), Newsies (Centaurus High School), and The Lightning Thief (The Spark). Enjoy the show!
Micah is thrilled to be in this incredible production of Alice by Heart. Micah is a Sophomore at Centaurus High School and has been in many different productions over the years. Some of his favorite shows he’s done recently include Bram Stokers Dracula (Centaurus High School), Newsies (Centaurus High School), and The Lightning Thief (The Spark). Enjoy the show!
Natalie (Dodo/Knave of Hearts) is very excited to be performing in her second show at CenterStage after previously performing in The Lightning Thief as Annabeth. Recent credits include Hadestown, Ride the Cyclone and High School Musical at Mile High Youth Theatre. Besides theatre, Natalie is also heavily involved in other music based activities like Orchestra and Colorguard. She is so thankful for the opportunity to perform with such a talented cast. Enjoy the show!
Natalie (Dodo/Knave of Hearts) is very excited to be performing in her second show at CenterStage after previously performing in The Lightning Thief as Annabeth. Recent credits include Hadestown, Ride the Cyclone and High School Musical at Mile High Youth Theatre. Besides theatre, Natalie is also heavily involved in other music based activities like Orchestra and Colorguard. She is so thankful for the opportunity to perform with such a talented cast. Enjoy the show!
Percy (Nigel/Dormouse and King of Hearts) is excited to be coming back to Centerstage for it's production of Alice by Heart. Recently Percy has played Gabe in Next to Normal, Jack in Into the Woods, and Beetlejuice in Beetlejuice Jr. One thing Percy likes to do in his free time is hold table reads with his friends. He is excited to be working with friends he's known for a few years and is excited for everyone to see the show!
Percy (Nigel/Dormouse and King of Hearts) is excited to be coming back to Centerstage for it's production of Alice by Heart. Recently Percy has played Gabe in Next to Normal, Jack in Into the Woods, and Beetlejuice in Beetlejuice Jr. One thing Percy likes to do in his free time is hold table reads with his friends. He is excited to be working with friends he's known for a few years and is excited for everyone to see the show!
Rebecca Neumann is ecstatic to be in Center Stage’s production of Alice by Heart. Previous roles include Dodger in Oliver! Alice in Alice in Wonderland, Carlos in Descendants, and Karnak (Understudy) in Ride the Cyclone. Other favorite roles include Shonelle in School of Rock, and Tessie in Annie. Rebecca would like to thank Mellisia and Erica and the wonderful production team. She would also like to thank her mom, dad, and brother. Enjoy the show!
Rebecca Neumann is ecstatic to be in Center Stage’s production of Alice by Heart. Previous roles include Dodger in Oliver! Alice in Alice in Wonderland, Carlos in Descendants, and Karnak (Understudy) in Ride the Cyclone. Other favorite roles include Shonelle in School of Rock, and Tessie in Annie. Rebecca would like to thank Mellisia and Erica and the wonderful production team. She would also like to thank her mom, dad, and brother. Enjoy the show!
Veda Lohoff (Mock Turtle) is delighted to be making their debut performing with CenterStage Theatre Company. Some of her favorite roles include Summer Hathaway in School of Rock, Worker in Hadestown, and Vivienne Kensington in Legally Blonde. In her free time, she loves to read, write, and hang out with friends. She is so grateful to the cast and creative team for bringing Wonderland to life, and hopes the audience leaves feeling like they know this story by heart.
Veda Lohoff (Mock Turtle) is delighted to be making their debut performing with CenterStage Theatre Company. Some of her favorite roles include Summer Hathaway in School of Rock, Worker in Hadestown, and Vivienne Kensington in Legally Blonde. In her free time, she loves to read, write, and hang out with friends. She is so grateful to the cast and creative team for bringing Wonderland to life, and hopes the audience leaves feeling like they know this story by heart.
Alice By Heart is, on its surface, a story about a girl in a London Tube station during the Blitz, reciting Alice in Wonderland from memory to keep a dying friend alive a little longer. But underneath that surface, it is one of the most honest pieces of theatre I've encountered about what grief actually feels like from the inside — not the tidy, five-stages version we're handed in pamphlets, but the real thing: circular, and desperate to hold on to a story we've already lost the ending to.
It is also a story about loss stacked on loss. Alice loses her home to bombing. She loses her cherished book, torn apart on the floor of that Tube station. And she is losing her closest friend, in real time, to an illness no one will name out loud. War sits behind all of it — not as a backdrop, but as the thing that makes every other loss possible.
I lost my mom a year ago, and this show found me at the right time. Grief doesn't arrive tidy; it bargains its way out before it ever says goodbye. What this piece gave me was a language for that mess. Alice can't say "I'm losing the person I love most," so she reaches for something she knew before the loss — a story, learned by heart and shared as childhood friends — and tries to use it to hold on.
We are not staging this in a vacuum. Somewhere right now, a young person is living some version of what Alice lives: home turned uncertain, childhood ending faster than it should. For them, that's not a metaphor. This show doesn't speak for any one place or war, but it shares the same root question — what do you hold onto when the world stops being safe?
That's also why this story belongs in the hands of this cast. These actors are old enough to carry real grief, but still close enough to childhood to remember believing a story could fix something, and they bring it to the stage with a fearlessness that rivals any adult company I've worked with. They are not imagining the tension at the center of this piece.
If you're carrying a loss of your own, I don't think this show offers closure. I think it offers permission — to be furious at someone for leaving, to gather the torn pages however incomplete, and keep going anyway.
That's what Alice does at the end. It's what I'm trying to do, a year out.
CenterStage is delighted to be returning to the Dairy Arts Center again for our 2026 summer mainstage production which will be presented in the 117-seat Grace Gamm theatre at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder. From the Tony® and Grammy® award-winning creators of Spring Awakening, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress), Alice by Heart is a touching musical inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
In the rubble of the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer’s budding teen life is turned upside down, and she and her dear friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland. As they travel through the tale, Alice by Heart explores the poignancy of first love, coming to terms with loss, and finding the courage to move forward. This world premiere musical encourages us all to celebrate the transformational power of the imagination, even in the harshest of times.
