ALICE BY HEART Workshop for Teens to Open at Valkyrie Theatre Company

Valkyrie Theatre Company is inviting older teens and young adults to take the stage this fall in Alice by Heart, a haunting and imaginative musical inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The Fall Theatre Workshop is open to performers ages 15-24 and runs September 8-October 15, followed by public performances October 16-24 at the Fair Oaks Performing Arts Center.

Set during the London Blitz of World War II, Alice by Heart follows Alice Spencer as she takes shelter in an underground tube station. Faced with a world transformed by war, Alice escapes into the familiar story of Wonderland, bringing those around her into an imaginative journey through memory, friendship, love and loss.

Featuring music by Duncan Sheik, lyrics by Steven Sater, and a book by Steven Sater and Jessie Nelson, the musical comes from members of the creative team behind the Tony Award-winning Spring Awakening. The score combines contemporary musical theatre with a surreal and theatrical reimagining of the characters and world of Alice in Wonderland.

The workshop is designed for young performers ready to deepen their experience in acting, singing, movement, character work and ensemble storytelling. Participants will work together to rehearse and stage the complete musical while developing the collaborative and performance skills required to bring a challenging theatrical production to life.

"Alice by Heart gives young actors the opportunity to do much more than simply learn songs and choreography," said Alison Gilbreath of Valkyrie Theatre Company. "It asks them to create a whole world together through acting, movement, music and imagination. For performers who are ready to stretch themselves artistically, it is a wonderful piece to work on."

With its ensemble-driven storytelling, unconventional characters and imaginative theatricality, Alice by Heart offers roles and performance opportunities throughout the company. The workshop is particularly suited to teens and young adults looking for a creative challenge and the experience of developing a full production alongside other committed performers.

Valkyrie Theatre Company's education programs provide young people with supportive, high-quality theatre experiences that encourage creative risk-taking, collaboration and confidence. Students work with theatre professionals while experiencing the rehearsal and performance process as members of a theatrical company.

Workshop and Performance Details

Presented by: Fair Oaks Performing Arts Center and Valkyrie Theatre Company
Workshop Dates: September 8-October 15, 2026
Performance Dates: October 16-24, 2026
Ages: 15-24
Location: Fair Oaks Performing Arts Center
Registration: FORPD.ORG/REGISTER