When Explorer West Middle School presented a musical production of Alice in Wonderland, faculty drama teacher and director David Kelly treated the audience to a psychological juggling act, literally.

He cast three Alice's. Like braiding hair, the three stars intertwined what Kelly described as "different aspects" of the character into one tight statement, and in some scenes appeared together on stage.

He said the youngest Alice has the most wanderlust, and views the other two as if seeing herself in a dream. The second Alice transitions between the first and third. The third is an assertive, mature Alice.

"Like those going through adolescence, Alice is finding her independence. Every member in the audience will have their own interpretation and filter," said Kelly, prior to the performances. Kelly is a former director for a youth repertory program in Colorado, and professional juggler.

The three Alice's are Sasha Friedrich, 11, Rachel Townsend, 13, and Ashley Shaw, 14. Each has previously appeared in three or more area productions. Friedrich has appeared in ArtsWest productions of Annie and Cinderella, Townsend in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Shaw was featured in Explorer School's Fiddler on the Roof.

Alice in Wonderland was mostly a student effort, with 27 actors, and over 20 on stage crew. One actor seemed custom-fit to play the Mad Hatter, and said his role was not a stretch from his real-life persona. Nathan Dullea, 11, thinks he passed the audition because, he said, "I have a strong personality like the Mad Hatter," adding lightheartedly while peering through an oversized foam top hat, "I'm crazy and weird."

Steve Shay may be reached at steves@robinsonnews.com