MPAC presents ALICE IN WONDERLAND
This production is based on the popular story by Lewis Carroll, turned into a ballet by the Royal Ballet and National Ballet of Canada in their version titled "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland," and adapted and staged for MPAC by Carla Gibbs-Zellmer.
Original choreography by Carla Gibbs-Zellmer.
Music score by Joby Talbot.
Laura Brown in 2013
Katie Mauro & Lindsay Lowell in 2013
Jessica Sudano & Averi Dunn in 2013
Message from the Artistic Director
Carla S. Gibbs-Zellmer
Greetings and welcome to MPAC's presentation of ALICE IN WONDERLAND!
This presentation is brought to you by the MPAC Dance Company, which is a select troupe from the greater student body of Milford Performing Arts Center. Company members are a dedicated group of students who put in a lot of extra time and hard work, beyond their regular, weekly dance classes. The payoff for their sacrifice and determination is they are placed into the lead roles during the annual Nutcracker, and they get to perform a Company-only show, like this one, each spring.
MPAC first presented our ballet version of ALICE in 2013, and the students have been asking us to bring it back ever since. We're so happy that we're finally able to do so in 2024. The reason why it's been so long is because our production of ALICE was created with a lot of technical elements that aren't all possible to do at the DV stage, but we've finally found a way to scale back some of the effects while still maintaining the high production standards we're known for. We're crossing our fingers that we're successful in this, but we also trust you'll enjoy the show simply because the dancers have done such an amazing job telling this story through dance!
As always, I am super-proud of the students and what they have accomplished. Please show your appreciation throughout the performance. They not only deserve it, but it also helps bring a positive energy to the venue that helps elevate the entire experience for all.
Again, thank you for coming and supporting our dancers, and we look forward to seeing you again on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, May 25, for our annual Spring Recital, which features the entire MPAC student body.
Sincerely,
-Carla
SYNOPSIS
ACT I
The story begins on a warm summer afternoon, where Alice’s family is about to host a garden party. Among the guests that have arrived early is the School Teacher, who reads to and entertains Alice and the other children. Shortly after, Jack, the gardener, brings Alice’s mother a basket of roses, but she rejects the white one as being out of place with all the red ones, so Jack gives the white rose to his friend, Alice. In return, Alice gives Jack a tart that she stole from the passing tray. Unfortunately, Alice’s mother sees the tart in Jack’s hands and seizes it, accusing Jack of theft and fires him.
As the clock strikes four, the other party guests start to arrive, and the School Teacher tries to distract the devastated Alice by offering an ornate fan and a book. The School Teacher disappears behind the table, and to Alice’s surprise, she emerges as a White Rabbit, who leaps around before vanishing down a large rabbit hole. Alice ponders for only a moment before leaping down the hole after her.
Alice finds herself falling. And falling. And falling, for what seems to Alice as an unlikely amount of time needed to reach the bottom of a rabbit hole, but here she finds herself falling even further still. As she goes down, down, down, unusual objects float by her, or at least Alice finds them unusual for being in a rabbit hole.
When Alice finally lands, she finds herself in a mysterious corridor. The doors all seem to be locked, but before she can try them all, she sees Jack, now transformed into the Jack of Hearts, being chased by the Queen of Hearts, along with her guards and the White Rabbit, for stealing the Queen's tarts.
Alice wants to follow them, but she is unable to because the only unlocked door she found is far too small to let her through.
A bottle appears out of nowhere, and Alice bravely drinks from it. At once, she becomes too tiny to turn the door knob. She then discovers some cake that appears from nowhere, and after a nibble, she becomes enormous. Very upset now, under these odd circumstances, Alice begins to cry. As she does, Alice shrinks, but not before her giant tears have created a sea so large that she is forced to swim.
A variety of animals swim about, until they all finally collect on the shore. They attempt to dry off by running a race, but before it concludes Alice notices the White Rabbit again and follows her once more. In the forest, Alice meets Tweedledee and Tweedledum. They distract for a bit before she's able to slip away, but as she does a mysterious Cheshire Cat appears. Alice is distracted for only a moment before she sees the Rabbit once more and takes chase yet again.
Alice loses sight of the Rabbit but finds herself in the middle of a strange tea party by a Mad Hatter. The tea party trio dislikes Alice's presence and abruptly leave. Alice wanders back into the forest when she meets the caterpillar who offers Alice a mushroom treat and then turns into a butterfly and flies away. Alice eats the treat but it has an odd effect on her and dancing flowers swarm around her. While she's dancing with the flowers, Jack appears and joins her. Suddenly, the Queen appears and threatens Alice and Jack with decapitation and they all take chase.
*** INTERMISSION ***
~~~ ACT II
In the Queen's rose garden, the Card servants are attempting to cover their mistake of planting white roses when the Queen only wants red. As they frantically paint the white roses red, Alice wanders upon them. She agrees to help them paint the roses, but as she begins the Queen appears and the cards hide. The Queen catches Alice with a paint brush, but Alice runs away before the Executioner and White Rabbit can apprehend her.
A little while later, the Queen decides she wants to play croquet and summons her hedgehogs and flamencos. The Cheshire Cat emerges from nowhere and makes the Queen angry. The Executioner and Queen chase the Cheshire Cat.
The Cards and all the Queen's subjects prepare for Jack's trial, having been accused of stealing the Queen's precious tarts. The proceedings begin. The Queen's tarts are exhibited as evidence, and all present are tempted by them and try to steal them, one by one. However, the White Rabbit catches them and returns them to the tray. Eventually, the Queen has had enough. Everyone blames Alice and the Queen orders her capture. With some help, Alice evades the Queen and finds herself alone with Jack. The Queen and her subjects eventually find Alice and Jack and all chaos ensues.
Alice manages to escape and runs off. She awakes, holding her book, realizing it was all just a silly dream.
Cast
In Alphabetical Order
Clare Adamcik - (Flower/Card)
Clare is 7 years old and has been dancing for 2 years. This is first Company show. Besides dancing, she likes to play with her friends. When she grows up she wants to be a Legoland EMT like her dad.
Kaitlin Adamcik - (Wolf/Hedgehog/Card)
Kaitlin is 13 years old and has been dancing for 8 years. This is her 1st Company show. Besides dancing, she likes to sing and volunteer. When Kaitlin grows up she wants to be a cosmetologist.
Andrea Boronow - (Maid/Caterpillar’s Legs#4/Card)
Andrea is 17 years old and is a junior in DVHS where she just completed her third year on the girls wrestling team. She has been dancing for 5 years and this is her third company show. Her favorite style of dance is lyrical. Andrea is excited to be dancing in the show with her sisters Julia and Lydia. Andrea hopes to some day work in the field of education. Her favorite color is Cornflower.
Julia Boronow - (Maid/Caterpillar’s Legs #2/Card)
Julia is 16 years old and in the 10th grade. She has been dancing for 5 years and this her third company show. When she is older she wants to work in business and marketing. Julia is currently part of the Business CTE program, and the girls wrestling team, at DVHS. Her favorite color is dark green.
Lydia Boronow - (Woodpecker/Flamingo/Card)
Lydia is 12 years old and in 6th grade. She has been dancing for 4 years and this is her third company show. Her favorite color is lavender. Lydia absolutely loves dancing and playing soccer. When she grows up she wants to be a Dog Groomer. She hopes to one day have a big role in a MPAC production.
Halie Decker - (Cat /Flower/Caterpillar’s Legs #1/Flamingo/Card)
Halie is 13 years old and is in the 8th grade. In her spare time she likes to paint and sing. Halie’s favorite style of dance is Contemporary. She is a teacher’s helper and her favorite color and scent is lavender. This is her fourth Company show and first time dancing en pointe in one.
Averi Dunn – (Mother/Queen of Hearts)
Averi is 18 years old and has been dancing for 16 of them! This will be Averi’s 13th company show. She attends DVHS where she is the head manager for the football and boys lacrosse teams. Averi is an MPAC senior apprentice. In the fall, Averi will be attending the University of North Texas, majoring in Sport Entertainment Management and minoring in Dance. Her favorite color is Mountbatten pink.
Jaydin Erickson - (Magician/Mad Hatter/Card)
Jaydin is 17 years old and is a senior at DVHS where she is a boys lacrosse and football team manager. She is also a warrior empowerment mentor. Her two favorite colors are orange and yellow. This will be Jaydin’s 16th year with MPAC and her 7th company show. Jaydin will be attending Lycoming College in the fall. She will be majoring in biology, pre-med. She loves lyrical and her favorite color is lava orange.
Ashley Failace - (Maid/Flower/Caterpillar’s Legs #3/Card)
Ashley is almost 14 years old and has been dancing since she was 9. Her favorite style of dance is ballet and she wants to pursue a career in dance. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys playing the piano. She is also a teacher’s helper. Ashley has been dancing for 6 years and this is her third company show. Ashley was recently accepted into, and will be attending, the American Academy of Ballet summer program.
Joy Failace - (Sister/Tweedledee/Card)
Joy is 18 years old and a senior in HS. Her favorite style of dance is lyrical. In her spare time, Joy enjoys playing the guitar, she is also a part of CCS theater group. She has been dancing for 7 years and this is her third company show. After graduation she plans on attending Sussex County Community College for a degree in business. Her favorite animal is a Yak.
Phoenix Failace - (Turtle/Hedgehog/Card)
Phoenix is 12 years old and attends New life Christian School. He Loves dancing, singing, and playing mini golf. His favorite animals are dogs and bunnies. This is Phoenix’s second company show. He loves the color green and his favorite holiday is Christmas. Phoenix can’t wait for summer to come because it’s his favorite season!
Margo Hillmann - (School Teacher/White Rabbit)
Margo is 17 years old and is a junior at Scranton Preparatory School. Margo has been dancing at MPAC for 15 years and her favorite style of dance is modern. Margo's favorite music to listen to is country. Margo works at a minor league baseball stadium and is involved with her school's community service program. When she graduates she is thinking of pursuing the field of psychology. Her favorite color is green.
Abigale Majewicz - (Monkey/Flamingo/Card)
Abigale is 10 years old and attends DDES. Her favorite style of dance is ballet and she loves the color purple. Abby is excited to be in her third company show. When she grows up she hopes to be a dance teacher. Abigale Takes piano and vocal lessons with Benjamin Dutton.
Mackenzie Morgan - (Flower/Hedgehog/Card)
Mackenzie is 8 years old and attends Shohola Elementary. She started dance when she was 2 years old and has been dancing for 6 years. This is her second Company show. Mackenzie’s favorite subject is art. In her free time she loves hockey and gardening. Mackenzie hopes to be a professional dancer and dance teacher when she grows up. Her favorite color is turquoise.
Rylee Nitecki - (Alice)
Rylee is 14 years old and attends DVHS where she is a freshman. She has been dancing for 12 years and her favorite styles of dance are ballet and contemporary. Rylee is currently a Senior MPAC apprentice and wants to be a professional ballet dancer when she is older. When Rylee isn’t dancing she does track, babysits, and plays the cello. She recently was accepted into three summer programs: The Rock, Joffrey Ballet, and Nutmeg Conservatory, where she was offered an early acceptance scholarship. She will be attending both Joffrey Ballet and Nutmeg Conservatory. Her favorite color is purple.
Hannah Olivier- (Royal Guest/Caterpillar and Butterfly/Card)
Hannah is 17 years old and is a junior at DVHS. She is a manager for the boys lacrosse team. Hannah has been dancing for 9 years and this is her fifth Company show. Her favorite style of dance is lyrical. When Hannah is older she wants to be a nurse. Her favorite colors are pink and pale yellow.
Brielle Ortiz - (Duck/Hedgehog/Card)
Brielle is 10 years old and is in the 5th grade at Shohola Elementary. She recently went en pointe and can't wait until she is strong enough to dance on stage. Her favorite styles of dance are ballet and lyrical. This is Brielle’s second Company show. She really enjoys reading and when she grows up, Brielle wants to be a teacher.
Emma Sandor - (Snail/DorMouse/Card)
Emma is 6 years old. She started dancing when she was 2. This is her first Company show after being an honorary Company member for The Nutcracker, in 2023. She loves Miss Carla and all her friends at MPAC. When Emma grows up she wants to be a ballerina and a police officer.
Grace Sandor - (Flower/Card)
Grace is 8 years old and started dancing last summer. This is her first Company show and she loves to dance as much as possible! Her favorite food is pizza and she wants to be a chicken farmer when she grows up. She is homeschooled and in third grade this year. Her favorite color is blue.
Rachel Sandor - (Sister/Tweedledum/Card)
Rachel is 14 years old. She has been dancing since she was 9. Rachel has been homeschooled all her life. She enjoys playing the violin in her spare time. Rachel is a MPAC Apprentice. She recently was accepted to the American Academy of Ballet summer program and was awarded a merit Scholarship to attend.
Eleanor (Elle) Valle - (Orphan/Flower/Card)
Elle is 7 years old, she has been dancing for 3 years. Elle was officially invited to join Company during Nutcracker. This is her first official Company show. She loves being part of the Company so much! When she isn’t dancing she likes to read and play with her friends. When Elle grows up she wants to be an actress and an activist.
Olivia Webb - (Preacher/March Hare/Card)
Olivia is 17 years old and has been homeschooled her whole life. She loves country music, crocheting and baking in her spare time. This is Olivia’s second company show and she has really enjoyed playing this role. She has been dancing with MPAC for the past 6 years.
Avangeline (Ava) Zellmer - (Bluebird/Flamingo/Card)
Avangeline is 10 years old and attends Shohola Elementary School. Ava has been dancing for 8 years and this is her third Company show. Her favorite color is teal. Ava loves dancing, tumbling and playing her violin and flute. She is very excited for summer and to hang out with her family at her Nana's pool.
Colin Zellmer – (Father/Card/King of Hearts)
Colin is 13 years old and in the 7th grade at DVMS where he participates in chorus, band, jazz band, and orchestra. He was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society in the fall. His favorite style of dance is jazz. Colin has been dancing since he was 2 and this is his seventh Company show. He is currently a teacher’s helper. He was invited to go to Washington D.C this summer to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference. In his spare time, Colin enjoys drawing.
Devin Zellmer – (Executioner)
Devin is the Store Manager for Fortunoff Backyard Store in Nanuet, New York. He's danced with MPAC for over 20 years, including in the womb for the 2003 Nutcracker.
Everett Zellmer – (Gardner/Knave of Hearts)
Everett is 16 years old and is a junior at DVHS. He is a member of the DVHS Orchestra and Drama Club. He is currently hard at work preparing for DVHS's production of "Big Fish" this April. Everett sings and plays upright and electric bass, piano, and acoustic and electric guitar. When he graduates he wants to pursue musical theater and acting in college, and he hopes to someday be a profession performer. Everett is a MPAC apprentice and his favorite style of dance is lyrical. His favorite color is a Royal Blue.
Acknowledgements
PRODUCED BY: Milford Performing Arts Center
* Bryan Zellmer, Executive Producer
* Carla Gibbs-Zellmer, Artistic Director
TEACHING STAFF
* Jessica Sudano: Modern Dance and Intermediate Tap
* Melissa Thomas: Advanced Tap and Theater Dance
* Carla Zellmer: Ballet, Lyrical, Combos, Company, etc.
APPRENTICES
* Averi Dunn
* Rylee Nitecki
* Everett Zellmer
* Rachel Sandor
TEACHER'S HELPERS
* Halie Decker
* Ashley Faillace
* Colin Zellmer
* Ava Zellmer
LIGHTS
* Bryan Zellmer
FOLLOW SPOT OPERATOR
* Vinny Yang
AUDIO
* Allison Sudano
PROJECTIONIST
* Daeryan Padgett
SET DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION/CREW CHIEF
* Dan Torres
CHESHIRE CAT CREATORS
* Jocelyn and Josh Sandor
QUEEN'S MOBILE DRESS CREATOR
* Dan Torres
BACKSTAGE CREW
* Ashley Torres
* Gabe Torres
* Gideon Torres
* Dan Davis
BACKSTAGE COORDINATOR
* Barbara Sudano
HAIR/MAKE-UP DESIGNER
* Carla Zellmer
HAIR/MAKE-UP ASSISTANT
* Jessica Sudano
SEAMSTRESS & CHECK-IN
* Janet Gibbs
COSTUMES
* Carla Zellmer
FRONT OF HOUSE
* Christine Williams
* Allison Dunn
* Kevin Dunn
* Amanda Majewicz
* Heather Morgan
* Elena Nitecki
VIDEO
* The Davis Family
OTHER THANK-YOUS & MENTIONS
* Thanks to DVHS for use of their theater
* Insurance provided by: State Farm Insurance
* Special THANKS to all of the Parents, Ushers, Load/Clean-up Crews, Scholarship Committee and all else who helped with this show!
* A huge THANK YOU to all of the MPAC Families!
Notables (rules)
* Applauding during a dance IS acceptable (and appreciated)
* Please pickup after yourselves; don’t leave anything behind in the theater, whether you want it or not (use a trash can)...we want to be invited back for future shows!
* Please set your cell phones to vibrate; don’t text during the show; and don’t answer/talk on the phones in the theater (use the lobby if it cannot wait)
* While photography IS permitted, please DO NOT USE A FLASH during the show, and please be mindful of the people around/behind you with how and where you hold your device, and with the brightness of your screen turned down low.
* Live penguins are not permitted in the building. Please leave them at the zoo, public aquarium, or in their wild habitat. Thank you!
Thank You!
Thank You
...for your financial support!
For those in the position to do so, thank you for your support! Donations help us in three ways: to support tuition scholarships (based on financial need), college scholarships (for graduating company members), and general operating support (to help us keep our doors open while we still continue to rebuild from the devastating impacts of the pandemic).
We will be accepting donations by check (made out to "MPAC") and cash, in-person during performances, and we welcome digital donations as well, at any time:
Via Zelle (preferred): carla@mpaconline.com
Via Venmo:
@carla-zellmerMPAC
THANK YOU!!!!!