PLAYBILLDER Spotlight: How Performing Alice By Heart Helped Students Heal from Grief | Playbill

Education News PLAYBILLDER Spotlight: How Performing Alice By Heart Helped Students Heal from Grief

A performing arts academy in Monterrey, Mexico, presented the most complex show they've ever translated from English to Spanish.

Monterrey Performing Arts Academy's Alice by Heart

Welcome to PLAYBILLDER Spotlight, where Playbill highlights shows from educational institutions or regional theatres and special events around the country (who have used Playbill's program-building service). By welcoming these PLAYBILLDERs center stage, we hope to give our readers a more in-depth look at theatre programs that are fostering the love of the performing arts in the next generation and the way theatre lovers are bringing Playbill along for life's big moments.

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This week's spotlight is Monterrey Performing Arts Academy of Monterrey, Mexico, and their production of Alice By Heart. Inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the musical by Spring Awakening creators Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik (and co-writter Jessie Nelson), follows Alice Spencer as she and friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station during the London Blitz in World War II. As Alfred falls ill, and is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape into their cherished book, journeying down into Wonderland. This is a tale of first love, courage, and acceptance after loss with imagination and heart.

Director Charly Ortega shared with Playbill how he went from managing Cirque Du Soleil performers to students, and how he encourages his students to let go of perfection. 

Monterrey Performing Arts Academy's Alice by Heart

Tell us a little about yourself. How many years have you been teaching?
Charly Ortega: 
I’ve worked for over 10 years touring around the world stage managing shows for Cirque Du Soleil. Throughout the years, I’ve found so much inspiration seeing shows and theatre companies all around the world. I'm grateful to have worked in multiple large scale professional shows and to do it still today. 

Can you share a little bit about the value you see in having a performing arts program in schools?
In 2017, I decided to open Monterrey Performing Arts Academy to give back to my hometown community. There’s something so powerful and magical in education and community theatre. It brings people together, gives people courage, makes us feel empathy, and empowers our creativity. 

What is your proudest moment as an educator?
My proudest moment is being able to keep someone’s dream alive. Seeing my students put in so much work, love, joy, passion, energy, tears, laughter, and fear makes me feel inspired and reminds me why I love theatre.  I value the effort of my students a lot. I feel honored to witness first hand how a musical theatre student can put it the same amount of work as a professional performer. I’ve seen both sides, and it truly makes the moment special and unique in its own way. 

What are your dreams for how your drama department can grow?
I dream Monterrey Performing Arts Academy will keep growing and lead performing arts education in Mexico in a safe gathering place that evokes people to learn, share, take risk, and wonder. 

What shows are your kids obsessed with right now?
My students are obsessed with Wicked at the moment and I would love for it to become a show in our Playbill collection.

Monterrey Performing Arts Academy's Alice by Heart

Tell us a little bit about the production. What made you pick the show?
When I heard Alice By Heart for the first time I told myself, “This is it! This is our next show.” I felt connected to the show and I felt moved by the depth in its words. Translating and writing the adaptation with the team was a huge challenge. Alice By Heart is the most complex show I’ve translated. 

What are the kids loving about the show?
My students love Alice By Heart and they found what theatre is supposed to be, using our imagination and emotions to build theatrical worlds. For thousand of years, humans gathered around a fire and they were able to imagine and to go on a journey through the performing arts. Alice by Heart brought us back to the core. 

It was a complete surprise for us to lose a young member from our team in a terrible accident. Alice By Heart helped us all to learn how keep the love and memories while letting a loved one go. 

How did the students participate in the design of the show or production of this Playbill?
My students got the opportunity to join the production team and develop skills in props, costumes, set, lighting, stage management, sound, and, of course, design. Two students participated building our PLAYBILLDER. 

What message do you have for your students as they take the stage?
When my students are about to go onstage, I encourage them to find joy in what they are about to do. I remind them that my expectation is not to see a dancer, a singer, or an actor. I want to see a character. A singer, dancer, or actor is constantly being harsh on themselves as they try to be perfect. On the other hand, a character just is.

Monterrey Performing Arts Academy's Alice by Heart

How has PLAYBILLDER impacted your performing arts program as a resource? PLAYBILLDER is an amazing resource to have in our shows. Not only does it help us by facilitating the design process and overall aesthetic of our program, but it also helps us to reduce our waste. Being able to share videos and other digital resources makes the reading even more interactive and attractive for our audience.

To design Broadway-quality programs for your next show, head to PLAYBILLDER.com. Who knows, you might just be featured in our next PLAYBILLDER Spotlight! And if you are looking for a beautiful way to display your Playbills, click here to purchase Playbill frames.

 
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