SRU’s Theatre Department to perform ‘Alice by Heart’ Nov. 21-24

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performers in the next SRU production

From left, Ricky Osman and Ari Bardack Mitchell are cast members of Slippery Rock University's theater production of “Alice by Heart," which will be performed Nov. 21-24.

Nov. 14, 2024

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Slippery Rock University's Theatre Department will present its newest production titled "Alice by Heart" with four shows Nov. 21-24 at the Miller Theater in the Performing Arts Center.

Based on a novel by Steven Sater, "Alice by Heart" is directed by Aaron Galligan-Stierle, a SRU assistant professor of theatre.

Set in London during World War II, the story follows Alice Spencer and her friend Alfred who take shelter in an underground tube station, where they escape into the world of "Alice in Wonderland" as Alfred battles illness. "Alice by Heart" explores themes of first love, loss and the transformative power of imagination during dark times.

Show times and dates are 7:30 p.m., Nov. 21-23, and 2 p.m., Nov. 24. Tickets are $12 for SRU students and $15 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased online at sru.edu/tickets or in-person at the Miller Theater ticket window up to one hour before each performance.

"Large components of our show wouldn't exist without our actors infusing their personal truths and identities into the world we created," said Kaleb Purswell, a senior acting major from Panama City, Florida, and the associate director of "Alice by Heart." "There is something in this show for everyone and I hope it helps people see the beauty in the world while also knowing that loss and grief are human and unique to every individual."

"Alice by Heart" is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International and in collaboration with many other SRU departments.

The cast of "Alice by Heart" includes:

  • Ari Bardack Mitchell, a junior acting major from Baltimore, Maryland, as Alice
  • Ricky Osman, a senior acting major from Wilmington, Delaware, as Alfred/White Rabbit/March Hare.
  • Maddie Kesler, a sophomore acting major from Brambleton, Virgina, as Red Cross Nurse/Queen of Hearts.
  • Sam Carter, a seinor acting major from Cranberry Township, as Dodgy/Duchess.
  • Liam Webster, a sophomore acting major from DuBois, as Harold Pudding/Mad Hatter.
  • Sophia Condit, a junior acting major from Bonita Springs, Florida, as Tabitha/Cheshire Cat.
  • Gabriel Isaac, a senior acting major from Easton, as Dr. Butrige/Jabberwock.
  • Peyton Houston, a junior acting major from Oviedo, Florida, as Clarissa/Caterpillar.
  • Jack Cipriani, a sophomore acting major from Moon Township, as Angus/Caterpillar.
  • Adam Fox, a junior acting major from Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, as Nigel/Dormouse.
  • Will VanSlander, a senior dance major from Saint Marys, as Young Alfred.
  • Hanna Herrmann, a sophomore dance major from Cranberry Township, as Young Alice.
  • Rin Smith, a senior acting major from Plymouth Meeting, as House Tutor/King of Hearts.
  • Lily Joseph, a sophomore acting major from Oviedo, Florida, as School Children/Mock Turtles.
  • Hope Johnson, a freshman acting major from Pittsburgh, as School Children/Mock Turtles.
  • Veronique Chayer, a senior acting from Irmo, South Carolina, as School Children/Mock Turtles and an understudy.
  • Conor McAleer, a freshman acting major from Plano, Texas, as School Children/Mock Turtles.
  • James Traverso, a sophomore acting major from Wallingford, as School Children/Mock Turtles.
  • Aidan Duez, a sophomore acting major from Kingwood, Texas, as an understudy.
  • Courtney O'Reilly, a sophomore acting major from Plano, Texas, as an understudy.
  • Care Caldwell, a sophomore acting major from Lexington, Kentucky, as an understudy.
  • Max Milligan, a freshman acting major from Pittsburgh, as an understudy.
  • Miriam Shrivastava, a junior acting major from Mason, Ohio, as an understudy.
  • Sean Kelly, a freshman acting major from Indiana, as an understudy.
  • Paja Clark, a freshman acting major from Haymarket, Virgina, as an understudy.
  • Joey Estok, a sophomore acting major from Latrobe, as an understudy.
  • Tristan Smith, a sophomore acting major from West Seneca, New York, as an understudy.
  • Jack Lloyd, a junior acting major from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as an understudy.
  • Demiah Brown, a sophomore acting major from Beaver Falls, as an understudy.
  • Sofie Marino, a junior acting major from Sugar Land, Texas, as an understudy.
  • Belle Trask, a sophomore acting major from Murphy, Texas, as an understudy.
  • Evan Jarvis, a freshman acting major from Ormond Beach, Florida, as an understudy.

The band of "Alive by Heart" includes:

  • Eric Francis, a junior music performance major from Canonsburg, plays the reed.
  • Patrick Bennett, a junior dual cyber security and music major from West Mifflin, plays the trumpet.
  • Jake Glath, a junior music performance major from Butler, plays the guitar.
  • Ben Kane, a senior music education major from Slippery Rock, plays the guitar.
  • Sophia Elliot, a senior music education major from Pittsburgh, plays the drums.
  • Jake Nathanson plays the cello.

The creative team of "Alice by Heart" includes:

  • Aaron Galligan-Stierle, an SRU assistant professor of theatre, as the director.
  • Lincoln Sandham, an SRU instructor of music as musical theatre accompanist and music director.
  • Lucas Fedele, a Pittsburgh based choreographer.
  • Riley Gross, a senior theatre major from Atlantic, as the stage manager.
  • Lisa-Ann Goldsmith, an SRU instructor of theatre, as the accent/dialect coach.
  • Kari-Anne Innes, an SRU assistant professor of theatre, is the intimacy director and box office coordinator.
  • Sam Kuchta, an SRU assistant professor of theatre, ss the scenic designer.
  • Mackenzie Hook, a senior theatre major from Brockport, as the lighting designer.
  • Rebecca Morrice, an SRU professor of theatre, as the costume designer.
  • Michael Boone, SRU technical director.
  • Ryan Mounteer, a junior theatre major from Sewickley, as the sound designer.
  • Burton Tedesco, an SRU assistant professor of theatre, as the fight director
  • Care Caldwell, a sophomore acting major from Lexington, Kentucky, as a dramaturg.
  • Aidan Duez, a sophomore acting major from Kingwood, Texas, as a dramaturg.
  • Rowan Wilken, a freshman acting major from Oceanside, New York, as a dramaturg.
  • Gretchen Jessup, a senior dual acting and theatre major from Amherst, New York, as associate director.
  • Kaleb Purswell, a senior acting major from Panama City, as associate director.
  • rissa Williams, a freshman acting major from Allison Park, as assistant director.
  • Katelynn Handa, a sophomore acting major from Pittsburgh, as assistant choreographer.
  • McKenna Cover, a sophomore acting major from Lakewood, Colorado, as dance captain.
  • Spark as assistant stage manager.
  • Abbey Weiser, a sophomore theatre major from Bellefonte, as assistant stage manager.
  • Brittany Walsh, a junior theatre major from Pittsburgh, as rehearsal ASM.
  • Mikayla Petrosky, a junior theatre major from North Versailles, as assistant scenic designer.
  • Isaac Smith, a junior acting major from Edinboro, as assistant scenic designer.
  • Mary Hodson, SRU costumer coordinator.
  • Alex Barnhart, SRU assistant technical director.
  • Hailey Rodgers, a freshman acting major from Aurora, Colorado, as propmaster.
  • Megan Best, a senior theatre major from Butler, as student box office manager.
  • Maggie Mitchell, a sophomore theatre major from Ambridge, as house manager.
  • Maya Hope, as the publicist.
  • Rachel Dercola, a senior theatre major from Sykesville, Maryland, as the publicist.

For more information about theatre programs at SRU, visit the Theatre Department webpage.

MEDIA CONTACT: Aaliyah Thomas | 724.738.4854 | news@sru.edu

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