GCSU Community Dance presents ‘Wonderland’ May 18

Published 7:00 am Thursday, May 15, 2025

The Georgia College & State University Community Dance Program showcases the 2024-25 season with an adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s 1865 children’s book “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” “Wonderland: Through The Looking Glass” premieres on Sunday, May 18 in Russell Auditorium. Admission is free.

This is a ballet version of the familiar story with all the familiar characters, including Alice as portrayed by Jones County High senior Addison Davis. She falls down a rabbit hole and meets several peculiar creatures and whimsical characters like the White Rabbit (by GMC Prep’s Kaylee Smith), the Cheshire Cat, and the Mad Hatter. They will take you on Alice’s adventures and absurd situations, like the corridor of doors, a pool of tears, a bizarre tea party.

All told through dance.

“As she explores this strange land, she confronts challenges that test her curiosity and sense of identity,” said director Natalie King. “The story is marked by playful language, nonsensical logic and surreal imagery. Ultimately, after a series of adventures and encounters, Alice awakens from her dream, returning to her reality but forever changed by her experiences in Wonderland.

“I chose the story of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ because it has a special place in my heart. I used to pretend to be sick so I could go home from school and watch the movie at my grandmother’s house. We would call it my ‘Alice days.’ We still laugh about that. I have enjoyed sharing this memory with the students and it has been my hope to see them develop a love for their own Alice days in the studio.”

“At first it was a lot of worry about making sure the choreography was correct,” said Davis. “Every time we would learn a new dane I would record it to make sure I could go back and practice it. So a lot of time looking back at videos and reviewing the work.

“It was such an honor when I was chosen (for the lead).”

She’s watched the Disney animated movie, and her high school did a dramatic version of the story.

“I’ve been in (Community Dance) for about 10 years. My first show was ‘The Nutcracker’ and I was one of the Polichinelles that came out of Mother Ginger’s skirt. I had never taken dance. I came from gymnastics and cheer at my school. It was so cool to learn a new thing, and I was welcome with open arms, made so many friends from beginning to now.”

Davis’ schoolmate at Jones County High, Madison McDade, is The Caterpiller.

“My character is the advice-giver,” said McDade. “I come out of a big mushroom. In the story I live in a mushroom, and Alice comes up to me, and she’s a little curious about me, but I kind of scare her off.”

McDade started with Community Dance at age 3 and has made numerous friends along the way. She said she and Davis are among a small handful from Jones County in the program, so she met fellow dancers from Milledgeville and Monticello. She’s done soloist numbers in “The Nutcracker,” including that of a snowflake.

Smith says it’s appropriate that she is playing the White Rabbit because she is often late to “important dates.” She’s playing the Rabbit as a male role, so she says it’s jump-heavy.

“It’s different from what I usually do,” said Smith. “I have to approach it with a different mindset just to get the character right. It’s a lot of characterization, a lot of acting. A lot of people don’t realize you do have to act while you dance. I get to jump a lot, which is really fun.

“I’ve been dancing since I was 3, but not here. I started here when I was in sixth grade. I did competitive gymnastics, and then got tired of it. I said, ‘I want pointed shoes and a tu-tu.’ I think it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. Now, I can’t imagine not dancing. I’m doing that in college, too.”

“We are a community program,” said King. “We try to create a program we can allow a lot of different bodies, different ages and levels come in and participate. We offer ballet and jazz, musical theatre. It starts at 3 years old, and we let people take as long as they want. We have an adult program.

“About 120 students are involved in the production (of ‘Wonderland’). You’ll see lots of little White Rabbits, little flamingos from our creative movement class. It offers a lot of versatility. We can provide a role for all of our students.”