The Themes of Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland has seen over 100 years of enjoyment because of its rich storytelling layers and Olympia Family Theater’s new musical adaptation is no different! Read on for Themes from the show:
Broken Systems/Systems Built to be Bad – At the start of Olympia Family Theater’s new adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, Alice is feeling anxious – she is overworked with school, track, and feeling severe anxiety whenever she thinks about climate change. Meanwhile, her sister – who is a climate activist – never seems to rest. In Wonderland, Alice watches the King and Queen of Hearts speak in circles, fail to listen, and over-react when asked to do something about climate change and realizes it is because they do not want to help. The story encourages us to examine feelings of hopelessness and who might benefit from our anxiety and/or apathy. Alice realizes people should not wait to be told what to do from a governing body to prevent climate change, and instead act for change with friends!
Act Local, Think Global – Alice is moved to action and hope by connecting with the community, listening, and working on nameable problems. While Alice realizes that climate change is a problem worldwide, it is best to fight the problems by focusing on hometown concerns. If we all tend to our own backyard, the whole world can thrive!
Sustainable Action – Alice shows us that we do not need to create big change alone – in fact, that is a recipe for failure! As you go forward to fight climate change, remember to make friends, take time to rest, outline manageable projects, and find ways to enjoy your efforts! Sustainable action over a long period of time will lead to success where stressful solo projects will only lead to burn out and indifference.
THE ORIGINS OF ALICE
Lewis Carroll:
Lewis Carroll was born Charles Lutwidge Dodgson in 1832, Cheshire, England. Though now remembered as a famous children’s author, he worked mainly as a Mathematical Lecturer at Oxford University. He is especially remembered for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and its sequel, Through the Looking-Glass (1871). Carroll’s poem The Hunting of the Snark (1876) is nonsense literature of the highest order. He died in Surrey, England, in 1898.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland:
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was originally published in 1865. The story was inspired by an afternoon boat ride spent telling silly stories with Carroll and a friend’s, Henry Liddell, three young daughters – Lorina, Edith, and Alice!
MEET THE ADAPTOR - Lavinia Roberts
What do you love about the original story of Alice in Wonderland?
Alice in Wonderland resonated with me as a child, I was drawn to the strangeness of Wonderland. As a child, Alice was a protagonist with whom I could relate. I connected with Alice’s curiosity, emotional resilience, and reflective nature. In a world that was absurd, even brutal at times, Alice continued to question the absurdities and be guided by her own internal sense of self, logic, and moral intelligence.
Who is your favorite character from the story and why?
This is a challenge! One of Wonderland’s most redeeming qualities is its colorful inhabitants. I am probably most drawn to the Cheshire Cat. I have been a long-time cat lady, with my own striped feline and writing “mews.” I am drawn to the Cheshire Cat’s mysterious nature and “purr-fectly” charming dialogue. How he is both cryptic and direct. He is both “furry,” wise while still being playful. He’s a “claw-some” character and I am very much looking forward to seeing how he is staged in this production.
What drew you to feature the climate crisis in your adaptation?
Initially, I wanted to explore being a young person developing your own compass in a world that can be absurd. I discussed the climate crisis with Lily after an early draft. We thought it would be worth exploring as a way to heighten the stakes of the story and open a dialogue about eco-anxiety and the climate crisis.
Act Local: THURSTON ECO GROUPS
Want to enact change in your own neighborhood? These local environmental groups make it easy to get involved today!
- Thurston Climate Action Team – Mission: Thurston Climate Action Team’s (TCAT) Their mission is to partner with the Thurston County community to restore earth’s climate and create a healthy, just, and joyous world for all people and our planet. Learn more here!
- Stream Team – Learn how to responsibly care for your car, pets, and more to keep pollutants out of Thurston’s local waterways! Learn more here!
- Thurston Green Business – Support local green businesses! Discover your new favorite store by reviewing the names and locations of businesses certified in their commitment to protecting the environment. Learn more here!
Sustainable Action: ENJOY NATURE
An important part of sustainable action is enjoying yourself, so why not start by enjoying nature! Here are some Thurston County spots that will spark your passion for preserving our natural beauty and fighting climate change.
Puget Sound Estuarium – 2 minutes drive from OFT
Take a tour or sign up for a class with Puget Sound Estuarium and learn what makes the Pacific Northwest a truly natural wonder. It is possible to enjoy the fantastic features of Olympia’s ecosystem while learning about how to care for it and Puget Sound Estuarium will show you how.
Learn more here!
Tolmie State Park – 20 minutes drive from OFT
A great family spot with 2 miles of hiking trails. Challenge yourself to find crabs, bald eagles, and chipmunks!
Learn more here!
Monarch Sculpture Park – 30 minutes drive from OFT
Monarch Sculpture Park is a contemporary outdoor sculpture park and center for the arts. The grounds are open to the public – daily from dawn to dusk. Wander the grounds and wondrous pieces of the Park and imagine a world where lush green scenery and man-made objects can live in harmony.
Learn more here!
ALICE IN ARTWORK
John Tenniel, a well-known political cartoonist, provided 42 wood-engraved illustrations for the book. He was knighted for artistic achievements in 1893, the first such honor ever bestowed on an illustrator or cartoonist. Many of the characters are not described by the author, so the common images associated with the story are purely the imagination of Tenniel!
Broken Systems: WHAT CAN YOU DO TODAY
Five actions you can do TODAY!
- Remember cloth grocery bags – We all want to cut down on the amount of plastic bags and charges, so put your adorable canvas or reusable bags in your trunk today!
- Unplug appliances between usage – If you are not using it, why are you juicing it? Unplugging unused appliances and even turning your computer to “sleep mode” instead of screensaver mode can make a big impact on the planet and your energy bill!
- Reuse printer paper – Take paper from your computer printouts and use the other side for more computer printing or just for notes, or drawing and doodling!
- Avoid Fast Fashion – Shop at thrift and consignment stores, arrange clothing swaps with your friends, and donate your clothes instead of throwing them away.
- Recycle your used plastic – Olympia Computer has teamed up with The Lions Club to recycle many types of plastic. Check out the types here and contact Olympia Computer for collection information.
Act Local: UPCOMING EVENTS
There are lots of ways to get out and about in Olympia to enjoy and protect our natural surroundings. Here are just a few:
Free Bike Classes: Gears and Shifting
May 10, 2023 – 5:30 pm
Join a FREE bicycle maintenance or cycling class to gain the confidence to get out and ride! All classes are free. No need to register! Classes will be held at the new Walk N Roll Educational Bike Shop at 2955 Martin Way East, Olympia.
Learn more here! Questions? Call 360-701-8379.
World Ocean Day
June 10, 2023
Celebrate with Stream Team on June 10th. Hear from guest speakers, Kris Peters chairman of the Squaxin Island Tribe, State Representative Beth Doglio, and County Commissioner Tye Menser. There will also be live music, prizes and family-friendly activities.
See you there! Check in with Stream Team for more information.
Juneteenth Celebration with
Growing Home Collective at GRuB
June 17, 2023 – 12:00 pm
Come join us to celebrate Juneteenth, the day that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved black people in 1865 in the United States. This gathering celebrates the centers the experience of black and ADOS (American Descendants of Slavery) identified individuals, families and people of all ages. We will acknowledge the true history of Black people’s experience during a time of great challenge and erasure that is still impacting our communities today. We will gather to uplift Black wisdom, healing, food knowledge and culture on the land. We especially welcome youth, veterans and alumni of GRuB’s programs. This event is open to GRuB community members of any background: members of black/ADOS/POC communities and their allies.
Find out more here!
