A WORLD OF PURE IMAGINATION: Kids have been hard at work crafting their own props from cardboard and glue. Pictured here is a cardboard teapot that will be used in the Mad Hatter Tea party scene.

THOMASVILLE- Everyone is familiar with the tale of Alice and Wonderland, whether they read the picture book or saw the Disney animation as a child. This classic eccentric story is taking the stage at the Thomasville Center for the Arts Friday afternoon, courtesy of the local Boys and Girls Club.

Each summer, the Thomasville Center for the Arts works with the Girls and Boys Club of Thomasville to hold a summer camp for the children. The camp is either a theater or art camp spanning two weeks, and this year’s was theater.

For the past week, 35 local children spanning from second to seventh grade have worked to create sets, build and paint props, design costumes and learn their lines. They are in charge of everything except casting,

choreography and directing.

Tuesday was a rehearsal day, leading up to their big show Friday at 3:30 p.m. The main cast worked on stage to perfect their lines, dances and movements, taking many breaks to get the giggles out and give constructive criticism.

During the famous tea party scene, one actress—who seemed to be the Mad Hatter—did a contemporary dance sequence, in which she demonstrated going mad through a series of hand signs and motions. There were many other unique elements in the performance, imagined by the children and the camp staff.

Heather Light, the center’s Education Programs Manager, is in charge of the grand-funded annual program.

“They got to try out for roles and they were just casted at the end of last week, so now we’re heavy into rehearsing,” Light said.

Light has helped the children through their stage fright and snags in the script, in an attempt to not only boost the kids’ confidence, but to also give them an education in theater.

“We have been first connecting with each other, getting to know each other,” Light said. “Then we are learning the etiquette and theater language so that they can understand what it takes to put on a performance.”

The children take on a big responsibility by being in charge of putting on the play themselves. According to Light, the children are doing numerous “DIY” projects, using tulle and various fabrics to create costumes, and cardboard and paint to create set pieces.

Upstairs in the center, other children who weren’t currently rehearsing painted hand-crafted cardboard teapots and clay pastries. The walls were scrawled with bright, intricate costume designs and set ideas, all drawn and imagined by the actors and actresses.

The children are not only passionate about their sets and costumes, but are pouring their hearts into their roles. Some are having to step into roles unlike their personalities, such as the Queen of Hearts, who is Alice’s evil antagonist.

“It’s been fun to watch them because they are not shy when they’re off the stage, but as soon as they get on stage there’s that timidness that happens. So you have to kind of push them to pretend they’re someone else,” Light said.

“The queen is very mean and so I’m like, ‘Be meaner! Say something mean!,’” Light joked. “It’s hard for them, but it’s a fun exercise for them to practice being someone else.”

As the week comes to a close, the children will continue polishing and perfecting their play, and aim to finish their set. The performance will be in the center’s auditorium and is open to the public, though it has usually been friends and family in attendance.