Like performers everywhere, the local arts community was hit hard by the Covid pandemic.
However one group of young performers is hoping to return to the spotlight very soon.
Rehearsals for Newhaven College’s musical ‘The Wizard of Oz’ kicked off this week.
Director Lauren White said not having a show last year was devastating.
“Telling the cast we couldn’t do the show was really upsetting, especially after we got so far into it,” she said.
“It was really tough because it was just one thing after the other for the arts last year.”
This year’s show ‘The Wizard of Oz’, is a classic musical about young Dorothy who gets swept away in a tornado from her Kansas farm to the magical land of Oz.
There, she encounters a host of whimsical characters who help her in her journey home.
Lauren says she has been hard at work with preparations for the show since mid-last year.
The first steps included securing the rights, booking costumes, and working on set and lighting design.
“Before rehearsals start, it’s taking the vision that I have and trying to bring it to life,” Lauren said.
Rehearsals began with the full cast of 60 on Monday.
Students will have to work hard to learn songs, choreography and dialogue as the rehearsal period is very short.
The show will open on April 22.
Lauren says she is excited about putting on the show this year.
“Covid is in the back of my mind but as far as I am concerned it is full steam ahead and the students will have a full audience out there clapping them on,” she said.
Cast members are very excited to begin.
Shontelle O’Connor who is playing Dorothy is especially keen.
“I am excited about starting rehearsals and seeing everything I have worked on so far pieced together to create the bigger picture, as well as mixing with the rest of the cast to see what everyone has to offer,” she said.
This isn’t Shontelle’s first time on stage. But it is her biggest role to date, and she says she is very grateful for the opportunity.
“It feels really great to have the main role because I know many very talented people went for it as well, so I am very lucky to have been chosen,” she said.
Lauren said she can’t wait to start building the family atmosphere that comes from doing a show, especially one with a large cast of kids across all ages and year levels.
The Newhaven College musical is a highlight for the community and this show is family friendly and joyful to help our community feel good again after such a rough year.
It reinforces the message that “there is no place like home” and after the year we have had, it is nice to be reminded how wonderful our home is.
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