When the auditorium lights dim, the auditorium starts to go silent, and all eyes fall on senior Ms. Keira Beck, the student transforming from an ordinary teenage girl to a very significant role in the drama club. In the center of the spotlight in the play The Wizard of Oz stands one of the drama club’s leading performers, Beck, not just memorizing lines but carrying emotion, energy, and expectations of the entire production.
While some teenagers go home to sports and homework, she spends her afternoons rehearsing, refining every gesture and expression, determined to make a great show for all.
The Wizard of Oz is a story about Dorothy Gale, a young girl swept away with her dog Toto from Kansas by a powerful tornado, who lands in a strange and magical world filled with witches, talking scarecrows, and other mythical beings.
The supporting cast adds energy and humor to the production, with the scarecrow’s clumsy movements and the wicked witches’ dramatic act. But through it all is Dorothy, whose utter disbelief in the world of Oz gives a sense of humor to the audience.
The stage crew and directors work hard on the lighting and sound to create an immersive experience for the audience with special effects and lighting to make sure Beck can shine in her role as Dorothy.
Beck puts immense dedication towards the drama club.
Being in a drama club entails daily rehearsals for multiple hours while also trying to balance schoolwork, work, and studying. It comes with a big responsibility, but also a great community and friends to make along the way.
Even at home, Beck practices her songs and practices harmonies and lines with friends at rehearsal. Every day at rehearsal, they practice scene blocking, music, and choreography for the bigger dance numbers.
Beck says she has a good visual memory, so she makes sure to read over lines as often as possible. Practicing scenes with friends and other actors is also very helpful and a great way to build character chemistry within the show.
There are many ways to build chemistry with other actors in the club, like practicing and rehearsing scenes with each other to get a feel for how the students work together to make sure the show can feel real and engaging.
The Wizard of Oz show will be held in the auditorium on March 6, 7, and 8. Tickets can be purchased here.
