CIU Players Perform “Alice in Wonderland”

CIU Players Perform “Alice in Wonderland”

CIU Players perform "Alice in Wonderland"

The Mad Hatter (Freshman Joseph Knight) serves tea to the March Hare (Junior Alyssa Stewart) and the Doormouse (Graduate Student Nlnglian "Kitty" Rong)

By Michael A. Lanier

CIU Student Writer

Laughter filled Hoke Auditorium Homecoming Weekend as the CIU Players treated the school's alumni to a trip down the rabbit hole and into a magical realm through their performance of the famous classic “Alice in Wonderland.

The play contained basically one set, few props, and a comically nonsensical script, which means that the success of the performance depended largely on the acting talent of the cast.

“Each character did a fantastic job,” said Nathan Aylestock, from the class of 2004. “I felt like they all know what being an actor is about.”

I've never seen ‘Alice in Wonderland’ before, and this play was not what I expected,” said freshman Bethany Hammond. “It was amazing.”

The play was directed by junior Kinsey Phillips who is proud of the cast.

“It was wonderful to be surrounded by such a great cast and an excellent stage crew,” Phillips said.

Similarly, senior Courtney Reasoner was very enthusiastic about playing the lead role of Alice.

“Playing Alice is exciting,” Reasoner said. “She relates to everyone.”

Senior Allan Reinhard, who played the Cheshire Cat, was impressed with his colleagues’ high quality of acting.

“You could close your eyes and just listen to their voices; each voice is spectacular and unique,” Reinhard said. “There's no bland person in the entire play. It all adds up to a good performance.”

The CIU Players are advised by Communication Program Director Dr. Dan Delozier, who admires the group for how far they've come since their beginning a few years ago.

“They reached a new level,” Delozier said. “Every play has a magical moment when the cast and audience become one, and the cast of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ achieved that.”

Meanwhile, the CIU alumni are glad CIU has made a priority of pursuing the fine arts.

“I'm excited that the students are bringing more arts to the college experience,” said Nate Meiers of the class of 1995.

Meanwhile, The CIU Players will be performing “Alice in Wonderland” for the general public on Nov. 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. All performances are in Hoke Auditorium.