Alice in Wonderland: A Curious Adventure at Gilbert Theater
by ERINN CRIDER
This is a story full of imagination and childish
Founded in 1994, the Gilbert Theater started
glee, and fittingly it will be presented by a cast
as a small community-based theatre. Since its
composed entirely of children. This will serve the
inception the Gilbert Theater has grown, but it
community two fold. Firstly, this provides the
has never waned in dedication to the community.
children with a unique experience in theater that
One of the core values of the theater is educating
is intended to inspire a lifelong love for the art.
the community's actors through experience in
The program also offers a unique production
theater, regardless of age. One way that the
that will capture the creativity of the youth.
Gilbert Theater is doing this is by providing
the community's children with performance
Adams expresses these sentiments, "As the
opportunities through the Glee Program. Bryan
director I have designed this show to be about
Adams, director for this year's Glee Program
the kids. This is a different style of directing
explains it by saying, "This is a side project of
for me. Usually I tend to tell the actors exactly
the Gilbert Theater. Kids audition, then we teach
what I want, but with the kids I want to capture
them to sing, dance, act and work together. We
their imagination. I just tweak it, make it finer.
meet once a month and put on a play at the end
It's more like we collaborate and that's great. Its
of the year."
about seeing the kids build this world and their
The play that the Glee Program will be
imaginations. Parents will be happy with what they
performing this year is Alice in Wonderland.
see and I hope to inspire the kids to go further into
Some may feel that a cast entirely of children
theatre and make it a living like I have."
may not produce a high quality show. Children
There will be two performances of Alice in
are not often considered for live theater
Wonderland. The first will feature the "red cast"
performances, but this program has shown that
on June 29 at 7:30 p.m. The second will feature
they are incredibly underestimated for what they
the "blue cast" on June 30 at 2 p.m. Tickets for the
can contribute. "Kids surprise me. These kids
event are $12. Tickets can be purchased via email
Alice in Wonderland opens at Gilbert Theater on June 29.
are talented and their imagination is the greatest
at Boxoffice@Gilberttheatre.com, by phone at 678thing a director can ask for. When I work with
7186 or directly online at www.gilbertheatre.com/
them I get to become a kid. You can't find an adult actor that can bring
box-office. Reservations can be made by phone or email. The
imagination like a kid. When we age, it becomes embarrassing to be
Gilbert Theater is located at 116 Green
ERINN CRIDER, Staff Writer,
imaginative, or it fades. I get to go back to that." Adams said.
St. For more information, visit the
Alice in Wonderland is a classic story written by Lewis Carroll. In this
website www.gilberttheater.com or call COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com.
story, a young girl has adventures with strange creatures in Wonderland.
678-7186.
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