THEATRE JACKSONVILLE

Jr. Mainstage is a special-tea of the education department at Theatre Jacksonville. This program is a delightfully curious corner of the Education Department at Theatre Jacksonville, where imagination runs just a little wild and young artists are invited to tumble down the rabbit hole or follow the yellow brick road of live theatre.

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Each year, our students step into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. No experience? No problem. No participation fee? Even better. All that’s required is a spark of curiosity and a willingness to say, “Why not?” …because around here, the most marvelous adventures begin with a single brave step onto the stage.

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Whether you’re feeling a bit like Alice, unsure but wonderfully curious, or like Dorothy, dreaming of something just beyond the horizon, Jr. Mainstage is a place to discover courage, heart, and maybe even a little bit of brainpower along the way. Students provide their talents with acting, storytelling, and collaboration, all while making new friends who feel like they’ve been part of your story all along.

Of course, every good tale needs its villains, tricksters, and misunderstood characters. Onstage, students get to explore those roles safely, finding empathy in even the most curious or “wicked” personalities. After all, sometimes the Queen of Hearts just needs to be heard and even the Wicked Witch has a story to tell.

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With guidance from Mr. Ron and his supportive technical company, Jr. Mainstage gives participants the chance to take creative ownership and bring their ideas to life. The result? A magical, affordable live theatre experience for families and young audiences alike.

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And here’s where things get extra enchanting: Jr. Mainstage performers take the stage on the very set of the current Mainstage production. Like stepping through a looking glass or landing in Oz, each production finds clever connections in story, setting, or character, reminding us that no matter where we come from, storytelling is the thread that ties us all together.

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So, whether you’re a lion finding your courage, a mouse discovering your voice, or simply someone ready for a grand adventure, Jr. Mainstage is your invitation to dream big, play boldly, and believe in a little everyday magic.

 

The Wizard of Wonderland

Directed by Ron Shreve

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Dates: Saturday, May 2, Sunday, May 3, and Monday, May 4 (non-shushable show)​

All shows begin at 6:30pm, lobby opens at 6pm for ticket purchase and seating.

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Show Synopsis

This play version of the delightful meeting of two of literature's most famous young ladies unfolds when a young man puts off a book report till the last minute, then suddenly finds himself in a strange place somewhere between Oz and Wonderland. It then becomes his responsibility to unscramble the stories and steer the familiar characters—the Cowardly Lion, the Mad Hatter, the Scarecrow and the White Rabbit, among others—to their ultimate destinations while avoiding the Wicked Witch and the Red Queen. This hilarious, adventuresome romp is filled with laughter and surprises at every turn. Also a couple of lessons emerge along the way...

​Featuring:

                 Dorothy                  Tin Man

                 Alice                        Doormouse

                 Mad Hatter            Cowardly Lion

                 Scarecrow              Wicked Witch

                 White Rabbit         Red Queen​​​

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