Northern Michigan University's CO/LAB Dance Company will present Alice in Wonderland: An Immersive Experience, described as a “mesmerizing whirlwind of color and movement that weaves through the audience like a living, breathing dreamscape.” The performance is unique in that it will take place in an intimate downtown Marquette space that allows the audience to be more actively engaged, interacting with the dancers and scenery elements.
“Immersive theater experiences are the next big thing,” said CO/LAB Artistic Director Karina Johnson. “They're taking over New York City, L.A. and many other places across the country. I believe we might be one of the first universities to attempt it. It requires a lot of teamwork and planning to pull it off, and we have a very large team of students collaborating on all aspects of this show, which is really exciting. I think it's something the community should not miss, because it's on the forefront of where theatrical art is right now.”
The performance will be held at 145 W. Washington Street, on the second floor (the former Vera Bar). Showtimes are at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Jan. 30-Feb. 1 and Feb. 6-8, with Saturday matinees both weeks at 1 and 3 p.m.
The immersive Alice in Wonderland is distinct in plot and presentation from previous versions depicted in television and film. It features an original score by Dominic Mrakovcich, NMU Theatre and Dance sound and media supervisor/engineer, and contemporary ballet choreography by Johnson.
“Sometimes contemporary ballet is more versatile for telling a story, more relatable to an audience and a little easier to manipulate amongst an audience,” she added. “It seems every student in the department has their hands on this project in one way or another. Charlotte Somerville, our McNair Scholar, spent all summer researching how to properly light costumes worn by performers. That's a new kind of technology that our students have never used before.”
A Wildcat Performing Arts Academy Pre-Performance Workshop for ages 12 and under will be held in advance of the sensory-friendly performance on Saturday, Feb. 1.
“I'm excited because the kids are going to be able to experiment with lighting and sound, and interact with the performers and production crew,” said Jalina McClain, stage management supervisor and Wildcat Performing Arts Academy managing director. “Charlotte will explain the process related to LEDs and costumes at a level appropriate for those ages. They'll also be able to see the light and audio boards—how they're used during the production and how pushing certain buttons creates different effects—and have an opportunity to dance in different lighting to view it from the performers' perspective. It's going to be a different kind of learning experience.
“A lot of young kids who aren't exposed to theater as much don't know all that goes into a show behind the scenes. This lets them know there are other options, outside of being a performer on stage. They can make costumes, light the dancers or create mushroom chairs for the set. Because this show is so tech-heavy, I think it's a good opportunity to showcase those aspects.”
Tickets for the production are $25 for the general public; $22 for NMU employees, seniors and military; $15 for youth; and $5 for NMU students. They can be purchased at nmu.universitytickets.com.