EAST PROVIDENCE — City native Albert Jennings returned to his alma mater Thursday afternoon, Nov. 7, for a visit with the Theatre students in the class of teacher MaryAnn Lasorsa at East Providence High School.

Mr. Jennings, a Class of 2004 EPHS graduate, was in town for professional reasons as part of the ensemble cast for the national tour of Disney’s “Aladdin,” which has been playing at the Providence Performance Arts Center for the last two weeks.

Mr. Jennings regularly takes on the role of “Kassim,” but has also been serving as the understudy for the lead. In fact, he will perform the role of “Aladdin” during one of the two final performances Sunday, Nov. 10, at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Mr. Jennings said it was approximately his 10th time playing the part on the tour due to either illness or scheduled days off lead actor Jonah Ho’okano.

This is the second national tour for Mr. Jennings, who previously enjoyed a similar run with the cast of “Mamma Mia!” His other credits include “In the Heights,” “The Buddy Holly Story,” “RENT” and “Smokey Joe's Cafe.”

Mr. Jennings said he gained his love for theatre by first watching and then performing in the EPHS Theatre troupe. While answering questions from the EPHS students last week, he referred to the character summary for “Aladdin,” who is deemed a “street rat.” As he urged any aspiring actors in the class to follow their dreams, he told them. “If a ‘rat’ like me can do this, so can you.”

Visit ppacri.org for showtimes and tickets, which are also available for purchase at the PPAC Box Office, 220 Weybosset St., or by calling 401-421-ARTS (2787). Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and two hours prior to curtain time on performance days.