The magic of OZ comes to life!
The magic of Oz came to life in Mrs. (Jill) Brown’s classroom at Oyen Public School as students took to the stage for their much-anticipated production of The Wizard of Oz. The room was packed with excitement and comedy as approximately 40 friends and family members gathered to enjoy the show.
Since Thanksgiving, the young actors had been hard at work rehearsing scenes, learning songs, and building their confidence. Their dedication paid off—audience members were blown away by the performance, which has even sparked conversation as far away as Medicine Hat.
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Guests were treated to Wizard of Oz-themed snacks, adding a fun and festive touch to the show. The classroom was transformed into a whimsical set thanks to the creative efforts of students, Mrs. Brown, and several community members. After school, Irish Magadia lent a hand in designing eye-catching balloon displays. In a heartwarming surprise, Joelene and Haley Turner arrived with additional balloon art to show their support. Fabienne O’Brien and Cheryl Tomkins also contributed their talents to help bring the magical atmosphere to life.
The tornado, hot air balloon, and costumes, many of which were handmade by Mrs. Brown, added magic to the performance. Students showed incredible flexibility, with many performing multiple roles—requiring quick costume changes and fast thinking backstage.
A highlight of the show was its impressive cast, featuring multiple roles played by each student:
Dorothy – Scarlett Kovitch
Toto – Kenlee Wilson
Scarecrow – Dior Logan
Tin Man – Ryder Makranoff
Cowardly Lion – Taigan Miller
Wicked Witch of the West – Kacey Lee
Wizard of Oz – Cruz Evens
Auntie Em / Shady the Tree – Sadie Ross
Uncle Henry / Gate Keeper – Winnie Huang
Flying Monkeys – Nicole Jacques, Dylan Robertson, Hadley Opheim
Munchkins – Cooper Norris, Kacey Lee, Winnie Huang
Narrator – Jack Tateson
Musical Conductor – Alice Tessier
Rainbow - Jessie Job, Dylan Robertson, Nicole Jacques, Winnie Huang, Sadie Ross, Cruz Evens
Musical highlights included “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead” performed by the Munchkins (Cooper Norris, Winnie Huang, Kacey Lee), “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” sung by Scarlett Kovitch and Kenlee Wilson, “If I Only Had a Brain” performed by Dior Logan, and a lively rendition of “We’re Off to See the Wizard” by Scarlett Kovitch, Dior Logan, Ryder Makranoff, and Taigan Miller.
Despite some challenging moments along the way, the students had determination, and their creativity and teamwork shone brightly on the performance day. The result was a magical performance filled with heart, humour, and plenty of applause, knowing they had been part of something truly special.