A work inspired by Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” will be the next offering in the Mainstage Series.
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 as part of the Walter Gloor Mainstage Series.
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. Tickets may also be purchased on Monday, Wednesday or Friday by phone at (716) 673-3501 or in person at the Fredonia 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world inspired by Carroll’s novels and Jorge Millas’ “Escenas inéditas de Alicia en el país de las maravillas” (“Unpublished Scenes from Alice in Wonderland”), Alicia encounters iconic characters such as the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, the Precision Cat, and the White Rabbit.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. “The script seamlessly weaves humor and drama, blending contemporary dialogue with Wonderland’s surreal logic. Through rich character development and sharp storytelling, it offers both emotional depth and moments of playfulness, making Alicia’s journey engaging and thought-provoking.”
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 a 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 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. It 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.
