Fredonia theater series offers new work based on classic ‘Alice in Wonderland’
A work inspired by the classic Lewis Carroll novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” will be
the next offering in the Walter Gloor Mainstage Series at the State University of New York at
Fredonia.
The Department of Theatre and Dance presents five performances of “Alicia’s Lens” from March
6 to 9 in the Alice E. Bartlett Theatre of Rockefeller Arts Center on the Fredonia campus.
Performance times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 6; Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8
with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 9.
Tickets are available online 24/7 at https://www.fredonia.edu/about/ticket-office. Tickets may also
be purchased on Monday, Wednesday or Friday by phone at 716-673-3501 or in person at the
Campus Ticket Office in the Williams Center during the same hours.
Devised by the Fredonia Young Company, “Alicia’s Lens” follows the journey of a determined
photographer striving to complete a photo series for an upcoming exhibition in a prestigious
gallery.
Delving into an underground world inspired by Carroll’s novels and Jorge Millas’ “Escenas
inéditas de Alicia en el país de las maravillas” (“Unpublished Scenes from Alice in Wonderland”),
Alicia encounters iconic characters such as the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat,
and the White Rabbit. Through her lens, she documents surreal experiences, blending
contemporary realism with Carroll’s fantastical universe.
“‘Alicia’s Lens’ is the result of a dedicated team of student playwrights lead by Fletcher
Dickmann who have worked collaboratively to create a compelling, layered narrative,” said
Director Nestor Bravo Goldsmith.
Dickmann describes the play as “an absolute melting pot of inspirations.”
“At its heart though, it is a tribute to and reinterpretation of Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice’s Adventures in
Wonderland,’” he said. “The original novel remains beloved to this day due to Carroll’s incredible
use of language through repetition, allegory, parody, and more. ‘Alicia’s Lens’ aims to marry that
same rich, playful use of text with more serious themes and the modern struggles affecting young
artists.”
The playwright added that “Alicia’s Lens” takes inspiration from the monomyth structure as well
as classical allegories and fables, especially Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s “The Little Prince.”
“We wear a lot of our inspirations on our sleeve in this script, and many quotations and allusions
within the text should prove familiar to audiences,” Dickmann said.
Goldsmith, associate professor of Theatre Arts, described the Mainstage production as having an
unique visual approach.
“The show blends contemporary realism with surreal imagery, mirroring Alicia’s perspective as a
photographer navigating a dreamlike Wonderland,” he said. “The minimalist stage allows for
dynamic scenes and imaginative use of space.”
Goldsmith said the play features a thoughtfully crafted script.
“The script seamlessly weaves humor and drama, blending contemporary dialogue with
Wonderland’s surreal logic,” he said. “Through rich character development and sharp storytelling,
it offers both emotional depth and moments of playfulness, making Alicia’s journey engaging and
thought-provoking.”
The director explained the production combines “realistic acting techniques with elements of
physical theatre and mask work, seamlessly weaving comedy and drama to create a rich and
engaging storytelling experience.”
More than 30 students are involved in bringing “Alicia’s Lens” to the stage. This includes 11
actors, a stage manager, an assistant director, and a team of seven designers and technicians
working with additional collaborators who build props and costumes and additional support crew
members.
“We hope our audiences connect with Alicia’s journey of self-discovery, personal and artistic
growth, and her struggle to process her father’s loss,” Goldsmith said. “At the same time, we want
them to be entertained and to appreciate the whimsical, iconic characters from the novels that
Alicia encounters as she navigates her journey.”
“Alicia’s Lens” is presented as part of the 2024-25 Lake Shore Savings Season at SUNY
Fredonia. Following the run in Bartlett Theatre, the production will be taken on tour for
performances at local high schools and youth organizations in Brocton, Forestville and Fredonia.