Youtheatre

The mission of Youtheatre is to create an inclusive environment in which to inspire and enrich the lives of all youth, regardless of income or ability, by providing educational opportunities and promoting appreciation of the arts. Youtheatre is open to all area youth in grades 1-12.

Join Dorothy and her loyal companion Toto as they “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” through the Land of Oz, determined to reach the Emerald City, where the great and powerful Wizard of Oz will help them get home. Of course, along the way, Dorothy encounters witches (both good and bad), Munchkins, talking trees and winged monkeys. But most importantly, she befriends three unique characters: a Scarecrow with no brain, a Tin Man with no heart, and a Lion with no “nerve.” Their journey to happiness – and self-awareness – is a glowing testament to friendship, understanding and hope in a world filled with both beauty and ugliness.

The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC.

Auditon Workshop

Saturday, January 11 from 10- 11:30 AM

*Registration will close once we reach 40 participants.*  

Audition Workshop Registration

Join us to learn how to bring your A-game to the casting process. A strong knowledge about the audition process, positive self-image, and a positive attitude are just a few crucial lessons students will learn through the workshop to leave powerful impressions at auditions. Participants will walk through a mock audition process and receive guidance, advice, and notes on standing out from the crowd and making the most of each audition opportunity. This workshop is to prep students for their actual auditions but is not mandatory.

Auditions

Auditions for the on-stage cast will begin promptly at 6 p.m. Monday, January 20 and Tuesday, January 21 at Marathon Center for the Performing Arts located at 200 W. Main Cross Street in Findlay. Check-in will begin 20 mins before auditions begin. 

All students in grades 3-5 who wish to audition or apply for the technical crew must register and complete the required forms.

Audition Registration

Required Consent Form

Students only need to attend one day of auditions. Those auditioning for the on-stage cast need to come prepared for movement. 

Youth interested in technical crew will only need to register online.

All youth participating in the production (as an on-stage cast member or technical crew member) and their parents must attend a mandatory meeting on Monday, January 27, at 6:00 p.m. at MCPA. Informational packets will be handed out and questions will be answered. All on-stage cast members will be measured for costumes.  A read-through of the script will continue for the on-stage cast members until 7:30 p.m.

Youtheatre strives to teach the importance of commitment, therefore, attendance and punctuality are documented and may affect future Youtheatre participation.

Rehearsals

6 – 7:30 pm Monday - Thursday beginning Monday, January 27. We will also practice on select Sundays in February and March. Dress rehearsals will be held nightly during the week of the show and are mandatory for all cast/crew members. Students may not be needed at every rehearsal. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be released after casting which will attempt to comply with any listed conflicts.

Conflicts

Attendance by each participant is expected at the rehearsals when they are scheduled. Please fill out the following form, regardless of if you have any conflicts. 

Conflict Form

Please list all school functions, music lessons, sports, church, and community activities, family vacations, etc. that will take place during rehearsal time. After the list has been approved, additional conflicts may not be added. Any unexcused absence may result in a change in the participant's role in the production.

Be honest and upfront with us, and if cast we will do our best to work around expected absences.

Please note that all on-stage cast members MUST attend ALL rehearsals during the last 2 weeks of rehearsals. NO CONFLICTS will be accepted from March 2-15.

If you miss more than three (3) rehearsals that are unexcused, you will be released from the cast.

Participation Fees

All youth participating in the production must pay the following participation fee according to their role in the production: $75 for on-stage cast members and $40 for technical crew members.

Parent Commitment

Youtheatre is a family affair! At the parent meeting on Monday, January 27 at 6 pm, parents will be asked to volunteer on pre-show and show-week parent committees. Committees cover every aspect of producing a show, including building and painting sets, costumes, backstage supervisors, dressing room supervisors, cast party and many more. Our shows would not be possible without the dedication and investment of each family!

Characters

• DOROTHY GALE – A sweet, innocent young lady who has a streak of boldness. She lives on a farm with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry but dreams of escaping to a far-off place where she does not get into so much trouble. She and her dog, Toto, are inseparable. She is a bit outspoken and headstrong, but dearly loves her family and friends.
• AUNT EM – A typical hard-working farmer's wife. Although she is consumed by her responsibilities, underneath it all she cares very much for Dorothy's feelings and well-being. Aunt Em must be able to show both her strong side and her softer side.
• UNCLE HENRY – The owner of the farm and Aunt Em's husband. He adores Dorothy, but it is clear that Aunt Em is much more in charge of Dorothy's upbringing.
• HUNK (SCARECROW) – One of three farmhands who offers Dorothy advice about how to deal with Miss Gulch. The same actor that plays Hunk will also play the Scarecrow when in Oz, and the audience should be able to make the connection between the two through body language and speech. Both characters talk about being smart and having a brain.
• ZEKE (LION) – Another farmhand who talks to Dorothy about her problems, advising her to just "have a little courage." His Oz alter ego, the Lion, is lacking courage. Although he will act tough from time to time, his true fearful self comes out in any scary situation.
• HICKORY (TIN MAN) – The third farmhand, and his Oz alter ego is the Tin Man, who lacks a heart. The Tin Man is kind, sweet and nurturing.
• MISS GULCH (WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST) – A well-off neighbor who is cold-hearted and hates Toto for getting into her yard. In Oz, the same actress plays the Wicked Witch of the West, who wants revenge on Dorothy.
• TOTO – Dorothy's beloved dog. When the action takes place in Kansas, Toto can be played by a puppet that is manipulated by an actor. In Oz, Toto should transform into an actor in a dog costume.
• PROFESSOR MARVEL (WIZARD, OZ'S VOICE)– A traveling salesman whose career of the moment is fortune telling. The audience should get the idea that he is a bit of a con man; however, he has a good heart. Similarly, his Oz counterpart, the Wizard, is a con man as well — just an average guy with a fantastic facade.
• DOORMAN – The Doorman of Emerald City is a comical character who tries to be tough but turns into a "softy."
• GUARD – Acts similarly to the Doorman, changing from harshness to sympathy upon hearing Dorothy cry.
• GLINDA – The Good Witch of the North who guides Dorothy in her journey through Oz.
• MUNCHKINS – The little people who live in Munchkindland, the place in Oz where Dorothy's house has landed.
• JITTERBUGS – A small group of dancers who have been sent by the Wicked Witch to out-dance Dorothy.
• WINGED MONKEYS – The Wicked Witch's animal army.
• NIKKO – The leader of the Winged Monkeys.
• WINKIE GUARDS – A group of the Wicked Witch's guards.
• LEADER OF THE WINKIES – The leader of the Wicked Witch's guards.
• THE OZIANS – The people who live in Emerald City.

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