Burlington-Edison High School alumni direct Alice in Wonderland musical
“It’s rewarding … I’m giving back to the place I started. It’s pretty cool to also inspire the kids who want to do it and to have a person who’s been in their shoes … it’s pretty cool to give them that kind of motivation,” Joliannys Torres-Rodriguez said.
That full-circle moment anchors the upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland at Burlington-Edison High School. Opening next week in the school’s cafetorium, the show features a unique collaboration between two graduates stepping into the director’s chairs.
Torres-Rodriguez, who graduated from the high school in 2019, is co-directing alongside Lily McDermott, a 2026 graduate currently studying visual arts at Skagit Valley College who aims to become a TV or movie director. For Torres-Rodriguez, the return follows professional success on major streaming platforms. After being scouted in Orlando, Florida, and winning best actor of the year in her category at the International Modeling and Talent Association conference, she signed with her first acting agency in 2022. She stars in shows on Amazon Prime and HBO, appears in commercials, and is filming an Amazon Prime movie titled Egg Baby.
Her acting journey began right on the Burlington-Edison stage when she was cast in a production of In the Heights. She credits drama teacher Holly Wood for sparking her interest in performing at a time when she focused primarily on sports.
Students build stage sets for evening and matinee performances
The production schedule features evening performances at 6 p.m. on Nov. 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21, alongside matinee shows at 1 p.m. on Nov. 14 and 21.
Putting the show together has required a significant team effort from current students and community members. With drama club director Holly Wood teaching during school hours but not directing the after-school musical, and the technical director who typically builds the sets unavailable, students and parents stepped up to handle the heavy lifting. The complex stage set is largely student-made.
I think one of the hardest things we’ve had to deal with is the building concept of everything … luckily, with the help of the parents and all the kids getting involved, we’ve been able to manage and make this thing happen. We’re just excited and ready for it because it’s a pretty cool show,
McDermott said.
Student leaders emphasize the supportive culture within the department. Taytumn Beebe, who serves as the show’s stage manager, noted that the drama program functions like a welcoming family where everyone has a place. Sophia Blunt, the department’s public relations officer who runs promotions and acts as associate director, pointed to the freedom students have to experiment with the material.
Students and alumni have added their own spin on the show, which is not originally a musical. They have added their own songs, and even a rap verse, into the show.
