A cast of 24 youth aged 10-16-years-old will bring a shortened version of Alice’s story to schools across the region before they perform among the flowers for Tulip Time.

Director Mandy Bransgrove said the Disney show, Alice in Wonderland Junior, had already been performed at Moss Vale Public School and Mittagong Public School.

“Over the next three to four weeks we will perform at Bundanoon Public School, St Paul’s Primary and Oxley College,” she said.

“The show should reach about 1400 schoolchildren over all.”

SHYAC (Southern Highlands Youth Arts Council) was asked by organisers of Tulip Time to design tableauxs that reflected Alice in Wonderful, the theme of this year’s event.

But once Mrs Bransgrove found a short musical version of the Disney movie, the cast were granted the chance to perform the show in full in the gardens.

“These kids are quite extraordinary, so talented and dedicated to the project,” she said.

“The show is full of beautiful songs and it’s a great script.”

Many members of the community have been involved in the project, including Julie Blanchard as musical director, Monique Barrios as choreographer and Bec Farquhar as set designer. Four young people were also mentored throughout the project in technical theatre skills, such as assisting directing, stage managing, assisting choreography and helping the musical director.

“It’s almost gone full circle,” Mrs Bransgrove said.

“We’ve been able to take wonderfully gifted performers plus train a young, upcoming production team.”

The SHYAC cast will perform in the Tulip Time parade, and perform songs from the show on September 17 at 1.00pm.

A full performance of the show will be held September 18, September 24 and September 25 at 10.00am and 1.30pm on each date.