PROSPECT HIGH School students have followed the yellow brick road to school this year, to find the Emerald City in their latest drama production.

The Wizard of Oz was staged in November at the Earl Arts Centre where audiences were treated to a rendition that students made their very own.

‘The show was inspired by many different versions of the original story,’ teacher Genevieve Viney explained.

‘We really drew on the interests and special skills of our performers. We included the songs we all love, whole class dancing and singing, physical comedy and straight acting, plus two contemporary dance pieces.

‘It also involved many different technical elements including visual projection display, audio, lighting, the creation and sourcing of costumes, set and props.’

An important element in the production was the inclusion of a live band led by teacher Marie Delamore.

The production was the result of many hours of work. As Tahlia McGrath who played the Lion describes it, ‘People came together and worked extremely hard’.

tremely hard’. Nikayla Binns, who played numerous roles, asserted that the amount of dedication made it amazing to be in.

The production was a great learning opportunity for the students who also enjoyed working in the theatre space.

Spencer Passmore who helped to develop the set and props and who worked as a stage-hand on the production, stressed, ‘The theatre was awesome. I loved working in the space. It was a whole new experience and it was also very cool seeing how everything worked’.

Abbie Colgrave who operated the sound effects for the show elaborated, highlighting how it was good to work in such a professional environment.

ment. Ruby Dean who played Dorothy described how the space seemed welcoming and enjoyed how the actors and audience could interact. Grade 7 student Caitlin Farrell who watched the dress rehearsal agreed. ‘It was really good how they included the audience and asked us questions.’

ment. Ruby Dean who played Dorothy described how the space seemed welcoming and enjoyed how the actors and audience could interact. Grade 7 student Caitlin Farrell who watched the dress rehearsal agreed. ‘It was really good how they included the audience and asked us questions.’

The performance received resounding reviews on the Prospect High School Facebook page.