Since Alissa Walker has practically grown up in the theater, her portrayal of Widow Piper makes her one of the veterans of the stage.

"This part has been great fun for me," the 18-year old stressed. "All of these younger kids think of me as their mother since I'm one of the older ones."

Alissa and 45 young people make up the cast for "Babes in Toyland" at Lamb Productions Theatre.

The classic tale examines the villainous Barnaby (Jack O'Brien) who has fallen in love with Mistress Mary Quite Contrary (Josie Kasik). If he can't buy her love, then he'll force her to marry him by threatening to foreclose on her mother, the poor Widow Piper or Mother Goose.

Mary already has her heart set on marrying Barnaby's nephew Alan (Billy Danner). She journeys to the mysterious Toyland where she meets the Master Toymaker (John-Emmett Mahon) and his quirky assistants Grumio (Levi Swan) and Marmaduke (Genny Radosti). The show was made into a 1961 movie with Ray Bolger and Annette Funicello.

"I don't remember the first time I saw the movie, but I have seen it and just thought it was so quirky and fun," she said. "I think it's a great show for kids because it's such a classic."

Alissa embraced theater in the fifth grade, growing up in Moville, Iowa, where she did "The Wizard of Oz" and "Annie." But it was dance that led Walker to an association with Lamb.

"I was going to be clogging in the Orpheum's Holiday Spectacular and my teacher, Diane Riser, told me I should talk to Mrs. (Diana) Wooley about singing," explained the daughter of Kirk and Nancy Walker. "I did and Mrs. Wooley told me I should do theater."

The family moved to Sioux City when Alissa was in the seventh grade and over the years, she has been cast in a number of Lamb's children and main stage shows.

"The appeal of theater is the ability to completely transform yourself into someone else," said Walker. "I don't think that's just for the actors on stage. I think just going to the show will put you a completely different place."

The North High School senior is interning at Lamb Theatre during her final high year.

"I had heard of students interning and I talked to the Russ (Wooley) and Diana and my high school counselor about doing this and we were able to work it out," she said. "I've been able to do costumes and props and sit in on organizational meetings to learn more about the theater."

Alissa hopes to go into theater at the college level.

"I just auditioned for DePaul University, and I think it went well, but I won't know until March of their decision," she said. "But the performing arts is absolutely what I want to do."