Hyde Park School of Dance, now in its 31st year of training, performance, and community, presents Alice in Wonderland, returning after its successful revival in 2024. Performances are March 7 and 8 at Kennedy-King College, 740 West 63rd Street, Chicago.
“Our performances of Alice in Wonderland are a fun experience for all ages,” said HPSD Founding Artistic Director August Tye. “Younger children enjoy seeing this familiar story come to life with dancers of all ages and levels, showing young children that they too have a chance be in a pre-professional performance.” The cast features 80 dancers ages 6 to 18.
Based on the classic Lewis Carroll story and characters, Alice in Wonderland was first produced by the Kalamazoo Ballet in 1991. Tye created the choreography; Kalamazoo Ballet Artistic Director developed the story, designed the costumes and chose the music, Johann Strauss’s Aschenbrodel. After founding the Hyde Park School of Dance, Tye brought Alice to her students in 2001 and revived it again in 2003, 2009 and 2024.
Sage Dassinger as the Mad Hatter (L) and Sofia Ybarra as the March Hare, photo by Marc Monaghan.
“Our school had outgrown the previous productions both stylistically and in the number of dancers who want to participate,” Tye shared. “We gave this classical story a 2024 makeover, and we’re featuring those updates again this year. One of the three new dances features our strong pointe dancers with imaginative choreography that celebrates the range and strength of our dance community; members of our Artistic Team restaged and reimagined some of the choreography; the traditional scenery was enhanced with projection using our dancers as masters of illusion; and our costume designer, Jacquelyn Sanders, brought her expertise, using some original costumes and creating new pieces to give the show a fresh look.”
To add to the celebration, families can attend the Queen of Hearts Tea Party on Saturday, March 8 at 4 p.m. in the Kennedy-King College Great Hall. Guests may take photos with cast members and enjoy sweet treats. Discounts are available for those who purchase tickets to a performance and the tea party together.
Audrey Ellis as Alice and Elsie Joyce as the White Rabbit, photo by Marc Monaghan.
Alice in Wonderland takes place Friday, March 7 at 7 p.m.
and Saturday, March 8 at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
at Kennedy-King College, 740 West 63rd Street, in Chicago.
General admission is $35 for adults, $25 for seniors (65+),
$15 for children ages 6–18 and college students with school ID,
$5 for children 5 and younger with a seat
and free for children 5 and younger sitting on a lap.
Special $45 reserved section tickets are available for all ages.
Tickets for the Queen of Hearts Tea Party
on Saturday, March 8 at 4 p.m are $25, $20 for four or more.
Tickets are available at 773-493-8498
or hydeparkdance.org/alice-in-wonderland-a-story-ballet.
Hyde Park School of Dance
Founded in 1993 as the Hyde Park School of Ballet, the nonprofit Hyde Park School of Dance provides opportunities for students of all ages and abilities to study, perform, and create classical and contemporary dance at the highest levels of discipline and artistry within a community dedicated to the welcoming inclusion of dancers of all races, religions, body types, genders, sexual orientations, and family income backgrounds. Led by Founding Artistic Director August Tye, Hyde Park School of Dance is committed to offering children the chance to experience the empowering rewards of self-discipline, hard work, and collaboration in a diverse and supportive environment, cultivating a love of dance and a strength of body, mind, and character that will benefit students throughout their lives.###
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