Alice in Wonderland Jr.

Commanding a deck with quiet authority

In my eighth-grade year, I applied for Stage Manager and received Assistant Stage Manager instead — a pivot that became one of the most defining moments of my theatre life. I kept driving forward and learned to stay completely silent and still in the dark while a large, high-energy cast moved around me.

I ran props and transitions, handled emergencies that popped up mid-show, made sure the youngest cast members felt comfortable and included, and trained a new ASM — passing along lessons I’d learned from my own stumbles and mentors.

What it taught me

Alice taught me how to hold a company steady under pressure, how to absorb feedback, and how to command a deck with quiet authority. Looking back, I also learned that high standards work best when paired with warmth — and I carry that balance into every show now.