Momix ‘Alice’ on Oct. 8 is a dance trip down rabbit holes

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025)—Sculptural dance ensemble Momix’s newest program tells a bizarre tale of underworld adventure using pure movement, music and multimedia effects.

The contemporary dance company returns to Penn State with “Alice” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, in Eisenhower Auditorium. The program, though loosely based on the work of classic literature by Lewis Carroll, features characters inspired by his fantasy world, including an undulating caterpillar, a frenzied Queen of Hearts, a rabbit pack and, of course, Alice.

Tickets are $52 for an adult, $14 for a University Park student, and $19 for a person 18 and younger and are available for purchase online. Tickets are also available by calling 814-863-0255 or in person, weekdays 10 a.m.–4 p.m., at Eisenhower Auditorium.

You can avoid the $4-per-ticket online service fee by calling 814-863-0255; or buying in person from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays at Eisenhower Auditorium.

Pre-performance reception

All ticketholders are invited to a free, pre-performance reception in the Eisenhower Auditorium Conference Room hosted by Penn Highlands Healthcare: Penn Highlands State College.

Visit Momix “Alice” online for more information.

‘Transformed into a world of magic’

Paula Burns, Momix tour manager and dance captain, said she likes to remind the audience to think back to how life was before “adulting” set in.

“When you go to the theater, ... you really are transformed into a world of magic, and even brought back into childhood, into imagination and playfulness,” she said in a Center for the Performing Arts artist visit. “I think that’s so important, because we’re always surrounded by responsibilities and all of these different things, and to be able to kind of retreat back into a childlike state or even one of imaginative life is really important.”

In addition to her company roles, Burns said the variety in her dance roles helps to maintain her energy and invigorate theater-goers for a creative and surreal experience.

“I’m Alice, I’m a rabbit, I’m the Mad Queen, I’m one of the creatures in the garden of living things, so I’m all different things,” she said. “Which also kind of gives us a really immersive experience as performers in the show, to not just have one role, but to change character, to change dynamic, and to feed off the energy of each other and the audience.”

Watch a preview of “Alice.”

Burns said Momix is reviving “Botanica,” its program based on the world of flora and fauna, which was performed at Eisenhower Auditorium in 2013.

“We’re revisiting ideas, creating new ones, bringing new people in and also some old dancers to come back and teach it,” Burns said. “It’s been really amazing to work with different generations of dancers that have done this show and also bring a newer flavor to it.”

Listen to Center for the Performing Arts interview with Momix founder Moses Pendleton about the 2013 program.

DISCOUNTS

Visit Discounts for information on available ticket-discount programs, including the Arts Engagement Family Program, a free ticket program for Penn State students and a ticket discount for Penn State employees.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Center welcomes patrons of all sensory sensitivities to its performances. Eisenhower Auditorium is certified by KultureCity as a sensory-friendly venue. Upon request, patrons can sign out a variety of items to accommodate your visit, including noise-reducing earmuffs, anti-strobe glasses, lap pads and fidget toys.

Learn more about the center’s available Accessibility services.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Sponsor
Penn Highlands Healthcare: Penn Highlands State College

Support provided by
John L. Brown Jr. and Marlynn Steele Sidehamer Endowment
McQuaide Blasko Endowment

A grant from the University Park Fee Board makes student prices possible.

Accessibility services provided by
Sidney and Helen S. Friedman Endowment

Support for the Arts Engagement Family Program provided by
William E. McTurk Endowment for Program Support

FIND US

The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State, a unit of the College of Arts and Architecture, aspires to create connected, sustainable, and equitable communities, where everyone experiences joy, belonging and creativity.

For more information about the season, visit the Center for the Performing Arts online, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.