Alice in Winterland
Welcome to Winterland
This Learning Guide aims to help students engage fully with the dance performance featured in Lamondance's production of Alice in Winterland.
A Message From the Artistic Director
Dear Teachers and Educators,
Thank you for bringing your students to Lamondance's new production of Alice in Winterland—a reimagined contemporary dance show inspired by the beloved classic by Lewis Carroll.
Reimagining Alice in Wonderland for the winter holidays came with the desire to create another inclusive show for the whole family to enjoy. Over the course of five years, our organization was devoted to creating an inclusive universe inspired by Romeo and Juliet for our winter holidays (A Winter's Twist). Wanting to refresh, create a different world, and face new artistic challenges, I came up with a question: What if we reinvent a classic story through a completely new lens? Alice in Wonderland was the very first choice that came to my mind.
Creating a show is not just about setting steps, putting on costumes, and performing for an audience. As an artist guiding our professional dancers, I always ask: How can we keep the foundation of an original story and transport it to a new world while addressing the important topics of today's society? Our work reflects the diverse issues people around the world grapple with, such as social justice and equity, mental health, economic inequality, acceptance, and many more.
We invite you all to join Alice, a brave and curious girl who is tasked with saving Wonderland from the tyranny of the Queen of Hearts, all while facing her own personal struggles of growing up in a family that doesn't celebrate her favorite holiday of all.
At Lamondance, we deeply believe in the importance of arts education and the role that creativity plays in the minds of young audiences. They are the inventors and creators of the future, the next generation of change and development in our world. We are grateful to have all of you here sharing this magical experience with us.
I invite you to encourage your students to build their own opinions about the show, discuss their thoughts and observations, talk about what they noticed and how it relates to their world, and generate a creative response to the ideas they encountered—whether through art, writing, or any other form of creative expression.
Thank you for being a vital part of Lamondance's outreach initiatives and for opening up the world of dance to the lives of your students. We eagerly anticipate sharing the live performance experience with you and your students.
Davi Rodrigues
Artistic Director, Lamondance Arts Society
About Lamondance (LMD)
Founded in 2009 and based in North Vancouver, Lamondance is a premier gateway to the vibrant world of contemporary dance. We are passionate about promoting, evolving, and expanding this deeply expressive art form through two primary avenues:
Our Professional Dance Company
Experience the creativity, precision, and innovation of our project-based professional dance company. We showcase high-caliber seasonal performances that captivate audiences and constantly push the boundaries of physical expression.
Post-Secondary Training Programs
Our multi-year contemporary training program and dedicated Bridge intensive are designed for emerging young adult dancers, safely guiding them as they transition into elite professional artists. We offer a supportive, world-class training environment where students can hone their technical skills, collaborate with global choreographers, and grow.
Diversity, Accessibility, and Inclusion
At Lamondance, we are committed to complete inclusivity. Through dance education, live performance, and dedicated school outreach, we work diligently to raise awareness about the importance of representation in the arts. We focus on supporting underrepresented artists, particularly BIPOC talents, and providing a safe, affirming environment for creativity to thrive. Accessibility is key for us—we aim to make our performances affordable and inclusive, ensuring everyone can join in, including members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, First Nations, low-income families, and individuals with disabilities.
Since our inception, we have commissioned over 108 original contemporary works, engaging with more than 40,000 audience members both locally and internationally. LMD remains a prominent voice in the Lower Mainland, creating bold, sensory dance that nurtures the growth of performers, choreographers, and educators in Metro Vancouver and beyond.
Alumni Success Stories
We take immense pride in the global achievements of our alumni, who have utilized our training as a professional launchpad to join prestigious international dance companies and creative institutions, including:
- Holstebro Dansekompagni (Denmark)
- Batsheva Dance Company (Israel)
- São Paulo Cia de Dança (Brazil)
- Nordhausen Ballet & Theater Osnabrück (Germany)
- Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company (Germany)
- Tanzkompanie der Oper Graz (Austria)
- Ballet BC & Wen Wei Dance (Canada)
- Cirque du Soleil & 45 Degrees (Montreal)
- Performing live with iconic global artists, including Céline Dion.
Preparation & Etiquette
How to be a Great Audience Member
Welcome to the theatre! Watching a live dance performance is an exciting adventure, and you are actually a very important part of the show. Live theatre is totally different from watching a movie at home because the dancers can see, hear, and feel your energy on stage.
Find your space quickly. When you enter the auditorium, get settled and comfortable before the lights go down.
Keep the magic alive. Talking during the show makes it hard for others to hear the music and stay inside the magical world of Winterland. Keep your voices resting so everyone can enjoy the story.
Help everyone see. You do not have to sit perfectly still like a frozen statue, but keeping your body calm ensures the friends sitting behind you have a great view of the stage.
Share your joy. The absolute best way to show the Lamondance artists that you love their hard work is to clap. Whenever a character is brave, or when a beautiful dance finishes, applaud loudly to send your amazing energy right back to the dancers!
Program Notes: The Story
Notice to Teachers, Educators, and Readers: This text is an abridged summary (resume) of the live stage production of Alice in Winterland. To preserve the theatrical magic and keep some surprises for the live performance, certain complex plot points and subplots from the stage are not fully detailed here.
© 2026 Lamondance Arts Society. All rights reserved. This material is provided strictly for educational purposes and classroom use. It may not be sold, reproduced for commercial gain, or distributed outside the context of the Lamondance educational program without explicit permission.
Act 1
Not far from here, in a city much like our own, lives a young girl named Alice. Inside her cold, austere living room, she sits deep in thought, dreaming of the winter season—a joyful time of year her strict family approaches with rigid indifference.
Seeking an escape from the bleak atmosphere, Alice turns to the radio and her greatest passion: dance. She moves freely across the room, leaping over the couch and weaving through the furniture, until a sudden knock interrupts her routine. Finding the doorstep empty save for a mysterious box, she hurriedly brings the gift inside. As she lifts the lid, a brilliant light spills out, and she retrieves a wondrous object that instantly bathes the room in a warm, comforting glow.
Enchanted, she dances around her new discovery, completely unaware that her brother is watching. Struggling with his own aggressive tendencies, he is deeply unsettled by Alice’s open expression of joy and immediately runs to alert their parents. Before Alice can hide the glowing gift or explain herself, her parents confiscate it. In an instant, the warmth is swept away, leaving the room just as desolate as before, while her brother lingers only to mock her as he follows their parents out.
Just as the coldness settles back in, a frenetic, highly anxious White Rabbit suddenly appears, sparking a playful game of hide-and-seek. Between his darting movements, he desperately explains his mission: he has traveled from Wonderland in search of a savior. The cruel Queen of Hearts has banned all warmth and joy, plunging the entire realm into an eternal, emotional winter. Sensing Alice's resilient spirit, the rabbit insists she is the only one capable of thawing Wonderland's frozen heart.
Yearning to escape her own isolation, Alice agrees to follow him. When the rabbit darts through a tiny door, Alice drinks a magical shrinking potion left in her gift box, shrinking down to slip through after him. Watching from the shadows, her curious brother swallows the remainder of the potion and follows close behind. The siblings soon find themselves lost in a chaotic labyrinth of mysterious door frames and mirrors. Opening one of the doors, they are suddenly swarmed by a horde of playful, mechanical multiplying bunnies. Just as the creatures corner them, the anxious rabbit returns, guiding Alice and her brother through a secret escape in the glass and pulling them safely into the magical depths of Wonderland.
Act 2
Alice, her brother, and the anxious bunny finally arrive in Wonderland, only to discover a desolate, frozen landscape shadowed by a massive, icy blue heart. A chilling royal decree echoes through the air: the Queen of Hearts has permanently banned all affection, warmth, and joyful expression. Venturing deeper into the frost, the trio encounters the Mad Hatter, who sits utterly despondent at a towering, snow-covered tea table under the Queen's oppressive rule. While her brother cautiously takes in their strange new surroundings, Alice steps forward to offer the Hatter a genuine, comforting embrace.
This simple act of kindness sparks a transformation. As Alice begins to help the citizens, her warmth slowly thaws a realm that has been frozen for years. A joyous, grand tea party erupts as the inhabitants celebrate their rediscovered connection, completely unaware of the approaching royal guards. Dispatched by the Queen to extinguish any signs of joy, the soldiers ambush the gathering, triggering a frantic game of hide-and-seek. As they evade capture, Alice wrestles with her purpose. She knows this oppressive cold is wrong, but she questions why she was sent on a mission to such a sorrowful, desolate place.
Exhausted by their journey, the siblings fall into a deep sleep, blurring the lines between reality and dreams. Along their path, they encounter various inhabitants of this realm—now known as Winterland—including a brave band of rebels ready to defy the Queen's decrees. An adventure to the royal palace becomes inevitable. Amidst the building tension, Alice's doubts grow: why is the bunny truly leading her? Is this an elaborate trap? Does the bunny secretly serve the Queen, and who exactly is this tyrannical ruler?
Ultimately, Alice is challenged to stand face-to-face with the Queen of Hearts. The stakes are absolute: if Alice fails, this upside-down world will remain frozen for eternity, trapping her and her brother alongside it. The Queen is stubborn, irrational, and rules with an iron fist, demanding total submission from her subjects and soldiers alike. Seeing that this is no way to live, Alice realizes she must be the one to stop the cycle of misery.
Drawing on years of dealing with her brother's bullying, Alice understands that cruel behavior often masks unresolved pain and fear. Having guided her brother toward this realization throughout their journey, she decides to extend that same profound empathy to the Queen. Alice recognizes that true leadership requires understanding rather than control, and that our responsibility as growing individuals is to resolve our internal struggles with compassion rather than inflicting them on others.
Through this empathy, the winter curse is broken. The magical realm is restored, and the world Alice and the inhabitants choose to rebuild is one rooted in mutual respect, equality, and lasting emotional freedom. Having not only saved Wonderland but also guided her brother toward a kinder path, Alice realizes it is time to return home. A sudden wave of doubt washes over her—should they really go back? A part of her desperately wants to stay in this newly warmed, accepting world. Yet, she knows deep down that she still has to face her own reality. As she and her brother prepare to step back through the magical door, a final, lingering question remains: is Alice ready to manage the conversation with her own family? Will her living room, once so cold, become warm again?
Collaborator Bios & Credits
About the Choreographer
Davi Rodrigues / Brazil - Canada
Artistic Director & Choreographer
Seen as a visionary leader in the Canadian dance community, Davi Rodrigues arrived in Canada in 2008 to pursue his passion for dance. Since then, he has played a pivotal role in the Lamondance Arts Society.
Lighting Designer
Jamie Sweeney / Vancouver, BC
Jamie Sweeney is a Canadian, Vancouver-based theatre collaborator. She is a lighting designer, a production manager, a performer, and a deviser.
Lamondance Team
Artistic Director, show writer and choreographer: Davi Rodrigues
Rehearsal Director: Margarida Macieira
Set Designer & Costumes: Davi Rodrigues
Lighting Designer: Jamie Sweeney
Stage Manager: Anna Brew
Photos by: Adrian Ortega
Dancers Bios
To get to know more about our dancers, click on the links below:
Lamondance Professional Dance Company *
Lamondance Contemporary Training Program
Venue & Parking Information
Depending on the date of your booking, your school will be attending Alice in Winterland at one of two fantastic venues. Please review the specific arrival and parking details for your scheduled performance below.
December 1st: CapU. Centre for the Performing Arts
Capilano University, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver, B.C.
School Bus Drop-off and Pick-up: Please instruct your bus drivers to enter the Capilano University campus via Purcell Way and drop off students at the designated bus loading zones near the theatre entrance. After unloading, buses should proceed to the designated oversized vehicle or bus parking areas on campus as directed by campus security or venue staff. Drivers must return to the loading zone 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time to ensure a safe and organized departure.
General Parking for Chaperones: For parents, teachers, or volunteers driving separately, pay parking is available in the various visitor parking lots across the Capilano University campus. Please remind all drivers to allow extra time to navigate the campus, find parking, and walk to the theatre to meet your school group before the show begins.
December 16th: The ACT Arts Centre
11944 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, B.C.
School Bus Drop-off and Pick-up: Please instruct your bus drivers to drop off students at the designated loading zones near the main entrance of The ACT Arts Centre on Haney Place. After unloading, buses will need to proceed to the designated oversized vehicle parking areas in the surrounding vicinity, as they cannot idle at the front entrance. Drivers should return to the loading zone 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time for departure.
General Parking for Chaperones: For those driving separately, underground parking is available directly beneath The ACT Arts Centre, which can be accessed via Haney Place or Edge Street. Additional street parking and public lots are located within a short walking distance from the venue. Please ensure you allow plenty of time to park and navigate to the main lobby to meet your school group before the performance.
Let's Learn More About Dance
Did You Know? The Language of Dance
What is Dance?
Bending, stretching, jumping, turning, sliding, and partnering are all fundamental physical actions that dancers practice daily. They train their bodies rigorously to transform everyday movements into a highly expressive physical language. In contemporary art, a movement sequence often originates from an abstract idea, a personal memory, a poem, a piece of visual art, or a musical score.
A Brief History of Dance
People have always danced. The earliest recorded dances were deeply integrated into spiritual, religious, and community ceremonies. However, by the era of the Ancient Greeks and Romans, dance had also evolved into a celebrated form of theatrical entertainment.
The Foundations of Ballet
Ballet—originating from the Italian word ballare, meaning "to dance"—debuted as an elite art form created strictly for European nobility. In the 17th century, King Louis XIV of France established the Académie Royale de Danse, which formally codified the five basic feet and arm positions used in ballet training today.
The 20th Century Transition
While the term "classical" is often used broadly to describe traditional dance, it specifically refers to a category of grand, evening-length story ballets created in Russia at the end of the 19th century.
Modern & Contemporary Dance
Modern Dance
In the early 1900s, dance pioneers such as Isadora Duncan, Ruth St. Denis, and Mary Wigman led a fierce rebellion against the rigid structures, tight corsets, and artificial weightlessness of classical ballet.
Contemporary Dance
Contemporary dance is a fluid, constantly evolving genre that blends the technical virtuosity of classical ballet lines with the raw, grounded freedom of modern dance.
The Creative Production Team
- What is a Choreographer? A choreographer is the lead creative professional who conceives, designs, and directs dance sequences.
- What is a Composer? A composer is the musical mastermind who writes and arranges auditory scores.
- What is a Lighting Designer? A lighting designer is a crucial visual artist who uses theatrical light to shape how an audience experiences space.
Post-Show Reflections & Discussions
Educational Connections for Act 1
1. Creative Self-Expression and Movement: Examine how Alice uses dance and imagination as a healthy outlet when feeling isolated or bored. Discuss how physical movement and the arts allow us to process emotions safely without needing spoken words.
2. Recognizing and Supporting Anxiety: Look at the anxious bunny character and how his internal stress manifests physically. Discuss the importance of empathy, patience, and gentle breathing techniques when supporting peers who feel overwhelmed or panicked.
3. Navigating Sibling Dynamics and Conflict: Analyze the complex relationship between Alice and her brother. Explore why individuals sometimes resort to bullying or teasing out of insecurity, and discuss peaceful, constructive ways to manage household or school friction.
4. Appreciating Diverse Household Perspectives: Discuss how different families structure their daily lives, values, and routines. Emphasize that every home has unique ways of operating, and learning to understand and respect these differences builds a harmonious community.
5. The Emotional Impact of Environment: Analyze how lighting, atmosphere, and surroundings influence human mood and behavior (e.g., how the warm light changes Alice's living room compared to the cold, stark reality).
6. Curiosity as a Catalyst for Growth: Explore why Alice chooses to step into the unknown. Discuss how curiosity, courage, and a willingness to explore new perspectives help young people navigate life's unexpected transitions.
Educational Connections for Act 2
1. Challenging Systemic Oppression and Fear: Examine the leadership style of the Queen of Hearts. Discuss what makes a healthy community versus an authoritarian one.
2. Empathy as a Tool for Transformation: Analyze how Alice breaks the cycle of coldness not with anger, but with genuine warmth.
3. Unpacking the Roots of Bullying and Harshness: Explore why the Queen and Alice's brother act out.
4. The Power of Community Resilience: Look at how the inhabitants of Wonderland come together to support one another.
5. Emotional Maturity and Personal Accountability: Reflect on Alice's realization about managing emotions constructively.
6. Building Inclusive Spaces: Discuss what it means to create an environment where everyone feels valued.
Student Activities
Activity 1: Creative Post-Show Discussion
Upon your return to the classroom, engage your students in a collaborative group circle to unpack their experience viewing Alice in Winterland.
1. Sensory Memories & Observation
- What specific image, character, or movement sequence stands out most vividly in your mind?
- How did the visual environment and the dancers' movements change when Alice transitioned from her stark living room into the frozen, magical realm of Winterland?
- How did the dancers physically show the difference between a "frozen" emotional state (like the Queen of Hearts) and a "warm," joyful one (like Alice)?
2. Emotional Resonance
- How did the atmosphere change in the theater as Alice began to thaw Winterland with her acts of empathy and kindness?
- The story suggests that harsh behavior—like that of Alice's brother or the Queen of Hearts—often comes from unaddressed pain or fear. How did the dancers physically express these internal struggles before they found peace?
- How did the choice of music, lighting cues, and props (like the giant red bucket) help you understand the deeper meanings behind the story?
Activity 2: Writing a Performance Review
This writing exercise is designed to stimulate critical observation, analytical thinking, and artistic literacy. Write a formal, 3-to-4 paragraph arts review of Lamondance's production of Alice in Winterland.
Part 1: Backstage Brainstorming (To do as a class)
Before writing individually, brainstorm a collective word bank on the whiteboard. Write down vocabulary words that describe The Dynamics (e.g., sharp, fluid, erratic) and The Design Elements (e.g., icy lighting, shadows, magical props).
Part 2: Review Framework (For the student)
Structure your individual review using the following guideposts:
1. The Introduction: State the title, dance company, venue, and creator. Briefly state your overall impression.
2. The Physical Analysis: Choose one specific scene or character. Describe the movement patterns and how lighting/music enhanced it.
3. The Human Connection: How did the performance remind you of moments, struggles, or relationships in your own life?
4. The Verdict: Why is it important to experience contemporary dance? Would you recommend it?
Design Your Own Winterland Pet
In our story, you will meet a brand new character called The Thing. The Thing is a magical, unpredictable mix of different animals! It can have the bouncy excitement of a puppy, the grumpy laziness of a sloth, or anything else we can imagine.
Because The Thing is a hybrid creature, it can look like absolutely anything. Now it is your turn to be the creator!
1. Imagine your creature. Pick your three favorite animals. What would they look like if they were all mashed together?
2. Draw your pet. Use the blank space below to draw your brand new Winterland creature.
3. Name your creation. Every great pet needs a name. What is your creature called?
4. Give it a superpower. Write one sentence telling us what special magical power your pet has in Winterland.
Winterland Word Search
Can you find all the magical words hidden in the snow? The words can go across or down. Search for the following hidden words from the show:
ALICE | WINTERLAND | EMPATHY | RABBIT | MIRROR | MAGIC | DANCE | BUCKET | JOY
Write a Letter to a Character
After watching Alice's journey, think about the character you connected with the most. Was it Alice, who bravely showed empathy to a frozen kingdom? Perhaps you want to offer some encouraging words to the anxious White Rabbit, or maybe you have some helpful advice for the stubborn Queen of Hearts.
Use the space below to write a letter to your favorite character. You can tell them what you loved about their dancing, ask them a question about their adventures, or share a time when you had to be brave just like they were.
Dear ________________________________________,
Sincerely,
✉️ Share with Lamondance!
We would absolutely love to read your students' letters! If you and your students would like to share them, please email scanned copies or photos to info@lamondance.com
Coloring Activity
Bring the magic of Winterland to life! Color in the characters below.
Educator Feedback Survey
Dear Teacher,
Thank you for bringing your students to our show, Alice in Winterland: Reimagined for the Winter Holidays. We appreciate the time and effort you put into organizing this trip to the theatre.
To enhance both your experience and that of your students, we kindly ask you to fill out this survey. Your feedback will help us improve for next year and ensure an even better experience. Thank you once again for your support!
Ready to share your feedback?
Click the button below to open our secure feedback form. Your insights help us make the Winterland experience even better!
📋 Start the SurveyInteractive Post-Show Q&A with Artists (15 min)
(For schools and classes able to stay following the performance)
Immediately following the final performance, we invite your students to participate in a live Question & Answer Session with Artistic Director Davi Rodrigues, Rehearsal Director Margarida Macieira, and the Lamondance company dancers.
Advance notice is required; please let us know if your class plans to attend so we can secure your Q&A session.