The Wizard of Oz is Coming to Town!
Who hasn’t heard the songs, dressed up like the characters, even dreamed that they went to OZ? Your chance to do it again is around the corner, as well as something for the younger generations to enjoy!
Danielle Levas is the Artistic Director of the after school musical theater program called Rising Stars which is being offered to 6th-8th graders from San Elijo Middle School (SEMS).
Students with or without previous dancing, singing and acting experience were invited to participate in the audition. At the end, a cast of 56 members was chosen to present the school’s first live musical production of the timeless story of The Wizard of Oz.
The students have been attending rehearsals 2 to 3 times a week since the beginning of February 2015. They have been meticulously learning and practicing the choreography, the songs and the script. By the time the show is ready for the opening, the participants will have accumulated over 60 hours of hard work and a fun time together!
Ms. Levas has directed other theater productions such as Seussical the Musical and School House Rock with students from Carrillo Elementary where she currently works as the school’s music teacher. She has also participated as part of the cast of The Who’s Tommy, Legally Blonde and Cats at the Moonlight Theater and most recently she performed as Consuelo in West Side Story at the Speckles Theater in San Diego.
Ms. Lori Davis, a 6th grade history teacher at SEMS, is the Creative Director of the Sets, Props and Backstage Crew and a group of students and parents are her key volunteers. The students who volunteer on the crew for this activity will receive credit for community service; time required for each student at the school.
Patricia Kurylo, Assistant Principal at San Elijo Middle School has the conviction that “incorporating extra-curricular activities within a school is such a powerful addition for the students. The school staff and students are thrilled about the production of the Wizard of Oz”. She also mentioned that she is making sure that all of the preparations, auditions, rehearsals, set production by the crew and cast performances do not interfere with the students’ academic school day.
Needless to say, you can’t miss so much fun! See you down the yellow brick road at the SEMS Performing Arts Center on Thursday, April 23rd and Friday, April 24th at 6pm; or Saturday, April 25th at 2pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.MKT.com/SEMSPTO
For more information, please e-mail [email protected]
