On Saturday, April 25, the Clay County High School Theatre program held its annual spring performance, delighting audiences with this year’s production, Dorothy in Wonderland. In the days leading up to the main performance, student actors also showcased their hard work by performing for students across the district, giving younger audiences the opportunity to experience live theatre and support their peers.
As part of a long-standing tradition, the event was once again presented as a dinner theatre, offering guests a full evening of entertainment and hospitality. Prior to the performance, student performers served attendees their choice of spaghetti or chicken alfredo, along with a salad bar and dessert, creating a welcoming and memorable experience for all in attendance.
Dorothy in Wonderland is a creative and imaginative adaptation that blends the worlds of The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland. The story follows Dorothy Gale as she reaches the end of the Yellow Brick Road, only to be swept away once more—this time into Wonderland. Alongside familiar companions like Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion, Dorothy encounters beloved characters including Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, and the Queen of Hearts. Together, Dorothy and Alice must face new challenges and work together to restore order while searching for a way back home.
Adding to the fun of the production was a special guest appearance by Mrs. Tanner’s dog, Champ, who took on the role of Toto and quickly became a crowd favorite.
The performance highlighted the incredible talent, dedication, and creativity of Clay County High School students. From acting and set design to lighting, costumes, and even serving guests, the production was truly a team effort.
A special thank you goes out to the many individuals who helped make this performance possible:
Minty Fulks for designing and creating dresses for Alice and the Queen of Hearts
Betty Holcomb for providing delicious cheesecakes for the event
CCHS Cooks for preparing a wonderful dinner
Jayda Taylor Adkins for her extensive work on set pieces and costumes, including flowers, the Lion costume, and the Queen’s crown
Mr. Dustin Stone and the CCHS Carpentry Class for constructing the Queen of Hearts’ stage platform
Caleb King for managing the lighting system
Mrs. Keiffer’s music students for assisting with set preparation
The production was directed by Tara Tanner and Kristie Keiffer, whose leadership and dedication helped guide students through another successful theatre season.
Cast of Dorothy in Wonderland
Alexus Diaz — Dorothy
Abigail Grandon — Alice
Presley Shamblin — Queen of Hearts
Brianna Gill — Wizard of Oz
Ariel Dobbins — Mad Hatter
Kaylee Marshall — Cheshire Cat
Lainey Nichols — Scarecrow
Parker Taylor — Lion
Hannah Gandee — Tin Man
Dakota James — Glenda
Cora Weaver — March Hare
Maddox Thompson — White Rabbit
Lyla Hunt — Knave of Hearts / Tweedle Dee
Katie Davis — Tweedle Dum / Munchkin
Alex Davison — Humpty Dumpty / Knight
Jaelynn Young — Rose / Munchkin
Jackson Cliver — Caterpillar / Munchkin
Ali Seward — Tulip / Munchkin / Voice of Toto
Pierce Adkins — King of Hearts
Jayda Woods — Rook / 7
Hayden Salisbury — Pawn / 5
April Vaughan — Dormouse / Fishfootman
Eli Workman — Frogfootman
Clay County Schools is proud of the students and staff who made this production such a success. Events like these showcase not only student talent but also the strong sense of community and tradition that make Clay County Schools special.
