March 3, 2026 — A vibrant exploration of grief, love, and acceptance unfolded on the Nelly Goletti Theatre stage last weekend in Alice by Heart, Marist Theatre’s latest spring mainstage production.

The rock musical retells the classic Alice in Wonderland story through the lens of a tuberculosis outbreak in London during World War II. The show’s creative process began with a workshop in 2018 as part of New York Stage and Film (SAF), a theatre development community that now calls Marist home.

The Alice by Heart creative team workshopped the piece with SAF  before its run off-Broadway at MCC Theater in the spring of 2019.

In Marist's production, the passion and spirit of the students served as the backbone for the show's innovative presentation and hands-on learning experience.

“I don't think I've ever put as much effort into preparing a role as I have with this one,” said Nick Ferrari '27, who starred as Alfred, a boy who suffers from the tragic illness and is close friends with the protagonist Alice. “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 the title role, an innovative young girl who struggles to accept her friend’s condition. The role requires a keen attention to complex emotions and imagination.

"There were many conversations between me, our director, and the rest of the cast about how exactly we wanted to portray this story," said Megan. "All of those conversations and research about grief, loss, and love really helped influence my version of Alice."

Nick added that they both put a lot of care into bringing to life an intense emotional journey through these characters that the audience can connect with.

The Marist Theatre Community
Community, support, and encouragement serve as the foundation of the Marist Theatre community.

“The members of Marist Theatre really want to be there — you’re often giving one-hundred percent all the time,” said Abby Collins '28.  Abby serves as Vice President of the Marist Theatre Guild and worked as the Assistant Production Manager for Alice by Heart.

Abby has been heavily involved in the theatre department since her first semester at Marist and says her leadership role has had a huge influence on her learning and social experiences.

Knowing the ins and outs of every production is extremely important in Abby’s position, as well as for all of the leaders involved in the show.

“Theatre is very much a place where you get back what you put into it, and Marist Theatre has certainly been a place for me where I have learned so much,” said Megan.

Nick Ferrari '27 (left) as Alfred, and Megan Metivier '28 (right) as Alice. Photo by Carlo de Jesus/Marist University.

Innovation and Education
The real magic of any show is what happens behind the curtain.

“At the core, we are an educational club,” said Kristen Stagg '27, president of the Marist Theatre Guild, who also served as Assistant Scenic Designer and cast member for the musical.

The student-led production operates just like a professional show. Students are given the ability to learn and explore new areas of stagecraft, promoting an expansive and well-rounded education for all involved.

Even on the operational side, the students involved are constantly looking for ways to improve. For example, a major project is currently underway to digitize Marist Theatre’s administrative information. 

Although this work takes place hidden from the spotlight of the stage, it is vitally important to sustain Marist Theatre’s momentum.

“Making this information more accessible for our members is going to be really helpful in getting people involved in our shows,” said Abby.

Kristen has worked on modernizing communication between group members, creating informational sheets for the guild’s executive board, and streamlining management processes. 

With the guild producing six shows each academic year, it’s a significant amount of work to manage.  Last semester, they produced The Laramie Project, Wizard of Oz: The Deleted Scene, and Marist Monologues. Despite the heavy workload, the students involved remain dedicated to their craft, continuously pushing through boundaries to create wonderful spectacles on the stage.

“It makes me feel like a much better person and much more fulfilled creatively,” said Kristen as she explained why she has been involved in Marist Theatre since her first year at Marist. “There’s a whole other world with involvement in theatre, an experience you simply cannot get out of just a major.”

Members of the cast and crew of Alice by Heart. Photo by Carlo de Jesus/Marist University.

The collaboration and shared motivation between guild members have fostered continued growth and community.

With a group of people overflowing with passion, connection, and warmth, the Theatre Guild is a place welcome to anyone looking to explore their creative passions in their time at Marist. 

Don’t miss their two upcoming shows this semester, Shakespeare in Hollywood and the Playwrights’ Festival! All information regarding applications and show dates will be on the guild’s Instagram page.

Want to join or visit? Contact MaristTheatre.Club@marist.edu.