Alice in Wonderland, JR to be Lead by Directors Cassie Hickman and Haley Phillips

SAAC is thrilled to have the directorial team of Cassie Hickman and Haley Phillips for the spring Youth Theatre production of Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” With a shared passion for theatre and a wealth of experience, Hickman and Phillips are set to bring the fantastical world of Wonderland to life on stage. The production, sponsored by Kiwanis Club of El Dorado, will hold auditions on January 21 and 23 with performances of the musical on May 1-3.

Haley Phillips has been a cornerstone of the SAAC community since the 1990s. An accomplished performer, director, and choreographer, she has contributed to both MainStage and children’s productions at SAAC and beyond. Phillips also served as an Arkansas Artist in Education for three years, where she helped students at Hugh Goodwin Elementary explore creativity through theatrical gameplay and productions. A retired homeschool mom, she currently teaches acting classes for elementary through high school students at SAAC, while also dedicating her time to organizing and managing the SAAC costume shop and the clothing donation center at the Call Mall.

Cassie Hickman has been integral to SAAC’s Youth and Drama programs since 2017, and has been involved in theatre since 2015 with the HEART Homeschool Theatre group. As the Event Coordinator at SAAC, Hickman teaches popular classes such as Mommy and Me and Little’s Theatre (pre-K-2) as well as works with the Youth Theatre and Drama Club. She finds immense joy in watching her students grow, overcome stage fright, and learn to collaborate as a team – elements that are crucial to a successful production. Hickman stated, “I’m thrilled to work with Haley again, especially on ‘Alice in Wonderland Jr.,’ which was our first show together. Haley is an amazing talent, and every rehearsal working with her is a learning experience for me.”

Students in grades 2-8 are encouraged to audition for this delightful production. “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” is a vibrant, entertaining musical filled with memorable characters, catchy songs, and side-splitting moments. The production offers students a unique opportunity to showcase their talents and be part of a collaborative creative process.

“Come join us for a semester of singing, dancing, laughing, learning, working hard, and putting together a great production!” – Director Haley Phillips