As winter comes to a close and our days lengthen. Our Panther community is set for an adventure through a whimsical world with the upcoming production, “The Wizard of Oz,” which isn’t a basic Oz film.
A young girl, Dorthy, guides you through a dazzling springtime rendition. Where classic characters bloom in sets and costumes, promising a heartwarming journey throughout the yellow brick road.
An inside look at this journey alongside Ms.Hamilton offers a more meaningful perspective on the play.
This time around, maintaining relevance, the Oz-themed play was inspired by none other than all the Wicked hype! Which would make plenty of sense, making this spring play even more enjoyable. Our Panther Performing Arts is currently working on said production, which takes much dedication and patience.
Like any production, it is no easy feat. From after school rehearsals, to even more craft and design…this time around the students have more creative control. Ms. Hamilton encourages, “Just be silly, we need more chalant energy.” Rather than these “nonchalant” people nowadays.
Selecting roles was difficult, but the cast will be worth a sight. Hamilton, along with the performing arts class, nevertheless is hopeful. “I hope the audience has a good time. What makes this play special is my students gaining creative control, like on character decisions.” Hamilton includes the importance of really emphasizing that our students need a space to be able to feel creative freedom and freely express themselves.
The biggest takeaway overall is passion. Passion is what’s really been keeping the production alive. The desire creates so many opportunities while also pushing students to take every detail into consideration. It’s what turns a “job” into more of a long-term enjoyment with the memories it’ll imprint on our fellow panthers. In the spring play, passion shows through the effort that everyone puts in, making the experience fun, meaningful, and rewarding for the whole cast.
To close this overview, the Orange & Green is excited to continue following the production and see the final, eye-catching result. Since the play is still a work in progress, be on the lookout this spring as the cast and crew bring The Wizard of Oz to life. Tickets will go on sale in March, with students able to attend for a small fee of $5. We can’t wait to see you in the Buck Shafer Auditorium sometime in April!
A favorite quote to leave you off until a further update:
“I would recommend this class to anyone. It’s a fun, creative space. On the plus side, I’m tons of fun! So, when are you joining?” – Ms. Hamilton.
