Osgoode actors search for Wizard of Oz
Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Emma Jackson
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Emma Jackson, Metroland
Dorothy and Toto meet a group of munchkins moments after she lands in Oz, killing the Wicked Witch of the East. The young actors performed Feb. 9 and 10 at Osgoode Public School. Stage will produce another play, Little Big Foot, in April.
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EMC News - Osgoode's STAGE children's theatre successfully pulled off its performance of Wizard of Oz at Osgoode Public School last week.
Emma Jackson, Metroland
In the Stage Children's Theatre rendition of the Wizard of Oz, Myhkaila Cushing played Dorothy, Mitchell Frizze played the Scarecrow, Dylan Morin played the Tin Man, Kole Berzenji played the Cowardly Lion and Jennifer Gore played Dorothy's dog, Toto.
Kids ranging from ages 8 to 15 took the stage Thursday, Feb. 9 and Friday, Feb. 10 to portray the classic story of Dorothy and her eclectic friends as they seek their hearts' desires.
The theatre group performs two shows each year: one in February and one in the spring. Although it's now open to all Ottawa students in Grades 3 to 8, its roots are in the Osgoode Public School where it started as a volunteer-run drama club for students.
Kerri Rossiter and Christina Leese began the theatre group when their own kids attended the school and wanted to act.
Six years later, the group has transformed into a fully-fledged business that welcomes kids in the Ottawa area, particularly those in rural Ottawa, to try the art of performing.
"We did it for two years as a volunteer thing, and then we realized the demand was really there so we decided to make a go of it," Rossiter said.
She said it's inspiring to watch the kids grow throughout the process.
"It gives kids an opportunity to experience theatre. Our idea is commitment, discipline and respect. It's fun to see the kids a bit shy the first week, and by week 18 (they're ready). It's fun to watch," she said.
Grade 6 Rideau Valley Middle School student Myhkaila Cushing played Dorothy, her first lead role in a play. She said the biggest challenge was "getting the emotions right" and making the character her own.
"I just try to make it as good as the movie, but I think it's a bit funnier. Not as intense," she said.
Grade 7 Rideau Valley Middle School student Dana Bonner played the Wicked Witch of the West, and she also brought more humour to the role than in the original 1939 film.
"I've made her more full of herself than she already is," Bonner said.
It seems most of Stage's scripts are like this: reinvented, adapted versions of their original drafts, if not completely new altogether.
Many scripts performed by the group have been original screenplays written by Leese, but a few were adapted works based on popular plays.
Rossiter said they often add flexible characters into pre-written plays such as Wizard of Oz, to accommodate kids who might not be ready to speak on stage.
"There are kids who want to be on stage but not say anything, so we stick in some parts without lines," she said, noting that often the children become bolder as the rehearsals continue, so the non-speaking characters tend to end up with a few lines.
Leese also incorporates local content into pre-written scripts.
"We sometimes add a story that everyone in the area would get, certain jokes. Last year we put in a joke about South Mountain," Rossiter laughed.
The young actors come from across rural Ottawa, including Osgoode, Metcalfe, Kars, Greely and North Gower. In April, Stage will produce Little Big Foot at Osgoode Public School on April 19 and 20. For more information about the theatre group visit www.stageonline.ca or call 613-826-0725.
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