The Wizard of Oz Young Performers Edition Synopsis:

Transcription

1 The Wizard of Oz Young Performers Edition Synopsis: Dorothy Gale, a young girl living on a Kansas farm with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, dreams of escaping her mundane life ( Over The Rainbow ). The family s mean neighbor, Miss Gulch, threatens to impound Dorothy s cherished dog, Toto, so Dorothy and Toto run away. They meet up with kindly Professor Marvel, who subtly convinces Dorothy to return home. Suddenly a cyclone hits, and Dorothy and Toto, seeking shelter in the house, are transported to the Land of Oz. In Oz, Dorothy is greeted by Glinda, the Good Witch of the rth. Apparently, Dorothy s house has landed upon and fatally stricken the Wicked Witch of the East. The Munchkins, now freed from the Wicked Witch of the East, celebrate and hail Dorothy as their new heroine ( Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead/Munchkin Musical Sequence ). The celebration is interrupted as the Wicked Witch of the West suddenly appears, seeking vengeance. Unable to reclaim her sister s shoes, which are now on Dorothy s feet, the Witch vows to return and quickly vanishes. Dorothy, seeking a way back home to Kansas, sets off to see the Wizard of Oz ( Follow the Yellow Brick Road ). Along the way, Dorothy meets three new friends, each of whom lacks a crucial characteristic: The Scarecrow ( If I Only Had A Brain ) The Tinman ( If I Only Had A Heart ) and the Lion ( If I Only Had The Nerve ). Together, the four new companions make their way towards Oz ( We re Off To See The Wizard ). The Witch attempts to sedate the travelers with a poisonous field of poppies, but Glinda reverses the spell with healing snowflakes ( Poppies/Optimistic Voices ). The travelers, arriving at the Emerald City, are delayed by a stubborn Gatekeeper, but Dorothy s tears convince him to relent and let them in ( Merry Old Land Of Oz ). As the group awaits its audience with the Wizard, the Lion boasts he is King Of The Forest. Finally, they meet the imposing and irritable Wizard, who demands the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West. The four friends travel deep into the haunted forest. Suddenly, they encounter jitterbugs, who make them dance until they collapse from exhaustion ( Jitterbug ). The Wicked Witch s flying monkeys swoop down, capturing Dorothy and Toto. At the castle, the Witch vows to take Dorothy s life. Meanwhile, the Lion, Scarecrow, and Tinman infiltrate the castle disguised as Winkie guards. The foursome and Toto are reunited, but the Wicked Witch interferes, threatening the Scarecrow with fire. Dorothy, dousing the flames with a bucket of water, accidentally strikes the Witch, who smoulders and melts into nothing ( Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead Reprise ). The four friends, triumphant, take the Witch s broom back to the Wizard. The Wizard remains imperious and imposing, but Toto pulls aside a curtain to reveal a meek and ordinary man speaking into a microphone. The Wizard, revealed to be a humbug, nonetheless grants each traveler s request, giving the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Lion each a token of his newly-acquired ability. The Wizard offers to take Dorothy back to Kansas in his hot-air balloon, but the balloon accidentally takes off, and Dorothy is left alone and crestfallen. Glinda appears and explains that Dorothy has always had the power to return home. All she has to do is close her eyes, tap her heels together three times, and repeat to herself, There s no place like home. Back in Kansas, Dorothy awakens, confused, with a bump on her head. Reunited with all her loved ones, and relieved to learn the storm has left Miss Gulch incapacitated by a broken leg, Dorothy shares the tale of her miraculous journey, celebrating the joy and healing power of home.

2 Character Descriptions: Dorothy Gale: A sweet, innocent young lady with a streak of boldness, outspoken and headstrong, who dearly loves her family, friends and dog. Dreams of escaping to a far-off place where she will not get into trouble; Strong vocalist and dancer required. Aunt Em Gale: A typical, hard-working farmer s wife who is firm & no-nonsense but also warm and caring. Uncle Henry Gale: Farmer whose wife, Em, runs things; Adoring uncle to Dorothy. Hunk, Hickory, and Zeke: Farm hands on the Gale Farm. May be played by a girl or a boy. Miss Gulch: Well-off, cold-hearted Gale neighbor who hates Toto. Professor Marvel: Traveling salesman who lives by telling fortunes; A bit of a conman but with a good heart. Glinda: Good Witch of the rth who is the mother figure for Munchkins and Dorothy whom she guides through Oz; Delicate and graceful. Wicked Witch of the West: Believes that Dorothy killed her sister and desperately wants her sister s powerful Ruby slippers that Glinda gives to Dorothy. Strong character actress. Scarecrow: The first friend Dorothy meets while going along the Yellow Brick Road; Wants the Wizard to give him a brain. May be played by a girl or a boy. Tin Man: Kind, sweet and nurturing friend to Dorothy; Wants the Wizard to give him a heart. May be played by a girl or a boy. Lion: Acts tough, but fearful self comes out in any scary situations; Wants the Wizard to give him courage. May be played by a girl or a boy. Munchkin ensemble: People who live in Munchkinland where Dorothy s house lands after the cyclone; Enthusiastic and celebrate joyfully. Several roles with solos available. Jitterbugs: Forest creatures who serve the Wicked Witch to dance the shoes off of Dorothy s feet! Fast-paced swing number. Ozians: Citizens of Emerald City with group song and dance. Winged Monkeys: The Wicked Witch s menacing animal army. Winkie Guards: The Wicked Witch s enslaved guards who are overjoyed at her death.

3 Musical and Information s See the conflict calendar for rehearsal times. s will begin promptly at 3:30 and end at 5:30 unless otherwise noted on the calendar. t every actor will be called for every rehearsal. A specific rehearsal schedule will be provided once the cast list is posted and will list what characters are needed when. It is your responsibility to check the rehearsal schedule and know when you are needed. Everyone s attendance is imperative for a successful show! An absence is excused if it is listed on your conflict calendar, you have let Miss Brown know via , or you are absent from school due to illness. Remember, if you are absent from school, you may not attend a Drama Club rehearsal or performance! Three unexcused absences may result in your dismissal from the show. Tech Week and Performances There will be NO absences for our tech rehearsals on January 2, 3, or 4! These rehearsals are extremely important as we add costumes, microphones, and lights to the production. Everyone must be at all of our performances on January 5, 6, and 7. Behavior Students are expected to be respectful of all cast members, crew, and adults working with them in rehearsals. When sitting in the audience, please be quiet so that the students working on stage can focus. You must stay in the auditorium/back stage area during rehearsals. running around the building. Bring your script and a pencil to every rehearsal. cell phones or chromebooks are to be used during rehearsal time. Please keep snacks in the hallway (except for water). There may be down time at rehearsal. Please use this time to watch the show, do homework, or work on lines/choreography with your cast mates. Drama Club is an extracurricular activity and school work MUST take priority. You must be academically eligible to participate in rehearsals and performances.

4 Audition Procedures Audition workshop 9/27 At this workshop, we will be learning the audition song and be talking about the audition process, audition techniques, and how to cope with nerves in order to perform your best. The Audition 10/2 OR 10/3 In your audition, you will sing If I Only Had a Brain and cold read lines from the script. If I Only Had a Brain does not have to be memorized, but Miss Brown and Mrs. Renne will be watching your audition and scoring you based on a rubric. You will be scored based on the categories Vocals, Projection, Stage Presence, Preparation, As long as you complete your audition, you will be cast in the show! friends or family are allowed in the room while you are auditioning! Callbacks 10/5 Sometimes, we will need to see some of you and hear you do some additional reading from the script or hear you sing again. If we need to have callbacks, they will be on Thursday 10/5 from 3:30-4:30. Just because you do not get called back does not mean that you are not being considered for leading part, and even if you get called back, it does not mean that you will be getting a named part. Cast list will be posted 10/7! Full cast read through 10/9 from.

5 This packet must be turned in with a Parent s Signature when you audition! Please attach a photo of yourself to this packet! Name: Grade: Student address: Interested in: (check all that apply) Ensemble Role Supporting Role Lead Role Prior Acting Experience Role Show Group (i.e. BAMS) Director Prior Singing Experience: Please list solo performances and choirs you have sung in. For choirs, please list the director, number of years of involvement, and voice part. Prior Dance Experience: Please list styles studied and number of years Other Special Performance Skills (gymnastics, juggling, etc.) Costume Information Height Shirt Size Pants Size Shoe Size

6 Conflict Calendar: Please X off any days that you are not available for the listed rehearsal time. October Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Auditions :30 Auditions :30 Callbacks (if needed) Cast List is posted! Read through / Work Call :30-4:30

7 vember Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday / Work Call

8 December/January Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 3:30-7:30 followed by movie showing of the Wizard of Oz Tenative 3:30-5:00 Tenative 3:30-5: :30 :30 3:30-7:30 Tenative 3:30-7: Dress 3:30-8 Dress 3:30-8 Dress 3: PM Show 7 PM Show 7 2 PM Show

9 Wizard of Oz Show Contract I have agreed to audition for this production. I understand that my attendance at rehearsals and performances is important to the progression of the show. On my conflict calendar, I have marked all days that I am unavailable to attend rehearsal. I understand that more than three unexcused absences could result in my dismissal from the production. I understand that my academics are my priority and takes priority over drama club. Student Signature Date I have agreed to allow my student to audition for this production. I understand that my student s attendance at rehearsals and performances is important to the progression of the show. I certify that my student s conflict calendar reflects his/her known conflicts. I understand that more than three unexcused absences could result in his/her dismissal from the production. I understand that academics are my student s priority and takes priority over drama club. Parent/Guardian Signature Date