Horizon Youth Theatre hosts ‘Alice in Wonderland’

Familiar can be good; familiar can be bad.
And familiar is a sure bet when it comes to kids and "Alice in Wonderland."
During the casting call for the Horizon Youth Theatre’s production of a musical adaptation of "Alice
in Wonderland, a number of young actors said they knew the book. "So many said it was their
favorite book," said director Cassie Guion.
That’s one of the joys of youth theater, she added, giving kids a chance to bring a beloved story to life
on the stage.
"Youth theater is so important," Guion said. "It gives kids an opportunity to express
themselves creatively and be involved in their community at an early age."
The show will run Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church
in Bowling Green. Tickets are $8 at Grounds for Thought, and at the door.
Guion suggested the musical because she is very familiar with it. Five years ago it was the last youth
theater production she performed in before heading to Bowling Green State University where she majored
in youth theater, graduating in 2010.
She’s been involved with Horizon Youth Theatre for a couple years. This is the third full length play,
and the first musical she’s directed.
The musical is "a whimsical look" at a classic story. While mostly relying on "Alice in
Wonderland," it does incorporate some signature elements of the sister book "Through the
Looking Glass."
One model she hoped her young charges would banish from their brains was a famous cartoon version.
"I had to stress," Guion said, "that this ‘Alice in Wonderland’ is not the Disney ‘Alice
in Wonderland,’" the director said. "We try to stay away from that Disneyfied version and let
the kids create their own version of the characters."
The script also had the benefit of being flexible in cast size, an important attribute for the youth
troupe, which likes to find a place on stage for as many young thespians as possible.

The cast for the show is 38, ranging in age from 8 to 18, with about a dozen more involved backstage.
"Horizon gives a lot of emphasis on giving kids experience in all aspects of theater, not just
being on stage."
About half are returning from previous Horizon shows with the others new to the company.
"I’m so blown away by what I’ve seen from them. They’re a very talented group of kids," she
said.
The skills the students pick up are valuable no matter what they end up doing when they grow up. "We
teach skills in how to work cooperatively with an ensemble, how to work with people," Guion said.

The show benefits from the youth troupe now being affiliated with the Black Swamp Players. Being able to
get onto the church stage as soon as the Players’ last show closed has been a luxury after scrambling
for space last year.