Director: Renee Brammer

Co-Assistant Directors: Courtney Bradley & Ami Crane

Vocal Director: Amy Shinabarger

Choreographer: Sami Burton

The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition is a one-hour adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, specially tailored for children and teen actors. L. Frank Baum’s beloved story of a young girl’s adventure in a magical land has been entertaining audiences for over a century. MGM’s blockbuster 1939 film adaptation, featuring the timeless songs of Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, along with the brilliant instrumental music of Herbert Stothart, elevated the popular novel to even greater heights. This stage adaptation, featuring the characters and celebrated songs from the film, brings the wondrous Land of Oz to life in a jubilant theatrical experience.

Join Dorothy and her loyal companion Toto as they “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” through the Land of Oz, determined to reach the Emerald City, where the great and powerful Wizard of Oz will help them get home. Of course, along the way, Dorothy encounters witches (both good and bad), Munchkins, talking trees, and winged monkeys. But most importantly, she befriends three unique characters: a Scarecrow with no brain, a Tin Man with no heart, and a Lion with no “nerve”. Their journey to happiness - and self-awareness - is a glowing testament to friendship, understanding, and hope in a world filled with both beauty and ugliness.

THE WIZARD OF OZ: YOUTH EDITION AUDITIONS

All those cast in THE WIZARD OF OZ: YOUTH EDITION are required to become a KVTA member at some level (minimum $28) by a certain date during the rehearsal process. One parent being a member of KVTA does cover the membership requirement for all family members 17 and under. Subscriptions paid during the 2023-2024 season will also fulfill this requirement.  Failure to complete this requirement will result in the cast member being removed from the cast.

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We are looking to cast 45-55 young people. All auditioners must be ages 6 to 17 by November 16, 2023. Proof of age may be requested. All auditioners must complete an audition form, a conflict calendar, and sign our KVTA policies acknowledgement form. Cast members are required to provide the following personal items: shoes and socks. In addition, cast members may be asked to supply other items such as: leotards, tights, etc. Optional expenses include: the purchase of show recording, a picture CD, apparel items, production party attendance, cast/staff chill times, etc. PLEASE NOTE: Child care is not available during rehearsals and performances. Cast and staff members are not permitted to bring their children, or any additional family members, to rehearsals. All rehearsals are closed to the public unless otherwise stated by the Director.

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TO THE PARENTS:

For the first month of rehearsals, you can expect your child to have up to three rehearsals per week, with rehearsals typically beginning at 6:00 p.m. Most rehearsals will last 2 hours, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tech Week Rehearsals scheduled for November 9, 10, 13, 14, and 15 may start as early as 5:00 p.m. and will end later than regular rehearsals. Recognizing that Tech Week Rehearsals fall during the school week, we will do everything possible to keep things running smoothly, but auditioners and parents need to be prepared for these rehearsals to end at a later time as many new technical things are added to the show every night.  We will start with a Cast Read Through/Parent Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, August 30 at 6:00 p.m. All cast members and one parent/guardian will be required to attend this rehearsal/meeting. After the first month of rehearsals, the rehearsal schedule will begin to pick up and move to up to four nights per week and eventually five nights a week as we get closer to the show. The amount your child will be at rehearsal will vary depending on their role. We will probably be adding a few weekend rehearsals. Weekend rehearsals would most likely be for dance and might not be for everyone. We want you to be aware of this before you grant your child permission to complete the audition process. Rehearsal dates are subject to change. We want to have all of the cast at ALL of our final tech rehearsals, so please be open and honest when completing your child’s conflict calendars. These dates are November 9 and 10 and November 13-15. Please be sure to fill out all the conflicts for your child from the audition date through the final performance date. We will not have rehearsal Labor Day weekend (September 1-4) so everyone can enjoy one last burst of time to get away to relax before the summer slips away. If you have any questions about the information provided here, please ask before auditions by emailing the Director, Renee Brammer, at kvtawizardofoz@gmail.com. 

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PERFORMANCE DATES & LOCATION:
Lincoln Cultural Center 240 Warren Ave Kankakee IL 60901

There will be seven (7) mandatory public performances of this production. 

School Performances: Thursday, November 16 & Friday, November 17 (there will be two school show performances* each day)
Public Performances: Saturday, November 18 at 2 pm; Saturday, November 18 at 7 pm; Sunday, November 19 at 2 pm
*Every young person cast in this production will be required to miss two days of school for the school performances. Every cast member will be required to have a permission slip signed by his/her teachers and principal during the first week of rehearsal. Failure to return this slip by the deadline given may result in the cast member being dropped from the cast. 

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KVTA Policies: PDF

KVTA Policies Acknowledgement Form to be signed: PDF

All participants, on-stage or off-stage, will be required to sign KVTA's Social Media, Sexual Harassment, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies. If said participant is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian will sign for the participant. Any parent or guardian signing for their auditioner agrees to instruct and provide information to their auditioner regarding KVTA's policies. An Emergency Card and Waiver of Liability must also be completed and signed in order to participate. These forms will be distributed when you first volunteer with KVTA. If you have any questions please email: kvta@kvta.org

CAST LIST

We are so excited to “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” with you to the Land of Oz. Thank you to everyone who auditioned for The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition. We were so impressed with how well prepared everyone was when they came to auditions. You made our decisions very difficult. If you were not cast in this production, we hope you will audition again in the future. If you were cast, please email Director Renee Brammer at kvtawizardofoz@gmail.com by 8 p.m. on Monday, August 28th to accept or decline your role. We look forward to seeing all cast members accompanied by a parent or guardian at the Parent/Guardian Meeting/Read Through on Wednesday, August 30th at 6 p.m. at the KVTA Studios.

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The costumer will be at the Studios starting at 5 p.m. on Wednesday to take measurements. If you are able to arrive early to get those taken, please do so. Thanks!

 

Dorothy - Colby Ogibovic
Dorothy Understudy - Olivia Zwirkoski
Hickory/Tin Man - Kaitlin Brown
Hickory/Tin Man Understudy - Ella Kraemer
Hunk/Scarecrow - Abby Purcell
Hunk/Scarecrow Understudy - Melaina Hall
Zeke/Lion - Hunter Lockhart
Zeke/Lion Understudy - Paul Bishir
Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch - Chloe Kearney
Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch Understudy - Audrey McPhail
Professor Marvel/Wizard of Oz - Matthew Case
Professor Marvel/Wizard of Oz Understudy - Victoria Eisenach
Uncle Henry - Kane Rushing
Aunt Em - Addison Haag
Toto - Maisy Rader
Glinda - Hannah Mantooth

Nikko - Kylee Kothe
 

Jitterbugs/Ensemble*

Lauryn Balk, Emmersyn Barclay, Hope Brammer, Kinley Collins, Simone Copiskey, Olivia Douglas, Geselle Fuentes, Melaina Hall, Lindsey Hudgins, Hadley Kirkland, Audrey McPhail, Vivian Regas, Adrianna Udstuen, Olivia Zwirkoski

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Ensemble*

Paul Bishir, Carter Budimir, Andrew Bush, Sevin Casey, Zoey Christensen, Victoria Eisenach, Noah Gonzalez, Ethan Jackson, William Keller, Teagan Kidd, Kylee Kothe, Ella Kraemer, Brooklynn McGill, Ella Nitschke, Alana Pommier, Sophie Powell, June Rader, Chloe Shinabarger, Alayna Valdivia, Kaliph Whitlow, Crosby Whittington, Savannah Whittington, Aliza Zwirkoski, Elliana Zwirkoski

*Ensemble will consist of Munchkins, Ozians, Winkies, Winged Monkeys, etc. Specific parts will be assigned as we begin rehearsals.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
Follow this link to read the character descriptions. Note: If an auditioner is cast as a member of the Ensemble, it is possible the actor may play multiple roles.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTION ATTACHMENT
 

For those cast in the show, our CAST READ THROUGH and PARENT MEETING is scheduled for Wednesday, August 30, at 6:00 pm at the KVTA Studios. This is a mandatory meeting.

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Further questions regarding auditions, callbacks, or casting may be emailed to the Director at: kvtawizardofoz@gmail.com

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We hope the audition process is a wonderful experience for you! Break a leg! We are rooting for you to do your best!

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Sincerely,

The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition Staff