As with every year, we started this Season with a childrens show. We selected Alice in Wonderland. It was the second time that we have produced this title, and it has proven to be a favorite. On the 10th, 11th, and 13th of October, all the first and second graders of the school district were bused to our theatre to enjoy a performance. We saw about 5000 students for 6 performances. Another 1000 attended the three public performances. The show featured bright costumes, strobe lights, blacklight, and a healthy dose of Wildfire paint to enhance the visual properties. As always, it was difficult to tell who was having the most fun, the audience or the performers.

We chose a very simplistic style for the setting making maximum use of the negative space created by the black background. The trees for Wonderland were simple two dimensional cut-outs that were textured wih drywall joint compound and then painted. The foliage was bundled rafia that was suspended from chicken wire.

The mushrooms were cable spools that were covered in 4" foam rubber and painted muslin.

The card costumes were simple tunics made from felt. We had some difficulty cutting it smoothly, but the result was very good. The costume did not restrict the actors' movement in any way.

The "croquet mallets" were pink flamingos cut from plywood and painted. They were a lot of fun to make.

The colors and shapes on the throne back were taken directly from an actual queen of hearts. I found the contrast in colors and shapes to be very striking.

The hole in the throne's heart was covered with a small piece of sharkstooth scrim and lit from behind, so the Cheshire Cat could appear on cue.