Marist Theatre Guild presented the musical Alice by Heart on March 3 at the Nelly Goletti Theatre, featuring student-led performances and production roles. The show reimagines the classic Alice in Wonderland story during a tuberculosis outbreak in World War II London, offering audiences an exploration of grief, love, and acceptance.
The production is significant for its focus on hands-on learning and community involvement. Students took on major acting, leadership, and backstage responsibilities that mirror professional theater environments. The creative process for Alice by Heart began with a workshop in 2018 as part of New York Stage and Film (SAF), which now operates at Marist College.
Nick Ferrari ’27 starred as Alfred, a boy suffering from illness who is close friends with protagonist Alice. “I don’t think I’ve ever put as much effort into preparing a role as I have with this one,” said Ferrari. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to be able to have such an important part in this show, and I want to make it something that I know I can be proud of for a very long time.” Megan Metivier ’28 played Alice, describing her approach: “There were many conversations between me, our director, and the rest of the cast about how exactly we wanted to portray this story. All of those conversations and research about grief, loss, and love really helped influence my version of Alice.” Ferrari added that both actors worked hard to bring an intense emotional journey to life for the audience.
Abby Collins ’28 serves as Vice President of the Marist Theatre Guild and was Assistant Production Manager for Alice by Heart. She said community support is central: “The members of Marist Theatre really want to be there — you’re often giving one-hundred percent all the time.” Kristen Stagg ’27, president of the guild and Assistant Scenic Designer for the musical, said: “At the core, we are an educational club.”
Behind-the-scenes innovation included digitizing administrative systems and modernizing communication among group members. Stagg has created informational sheets for executive board members while streamlining management processes. With six shows produced each academic year—including recent productions like The Laramie Project—students remain dedicated despite heavy workloads.
Looking ahead, Marist Theatre Guild will present Shakespeare in Hollywood and host its Playwrights’ Festival later this semester.
