Bert Church High School’s drama students are gearing up for their annual spring production The Wizard of Oz, with rehearsals well underway for what promises to be another fantastic performance.
Kevin Goodyear, the drama teacher at Bert Church High School, said the play will feature 40 student actors from grades 9 to 12, as well as a crew of 10 people working behind the scenes to bring the production to life. Students have been rehearsing since Jan. 30 to perfect their lines, songs, and choreography.
“We’ve enjoyed dancing with our choreographers and learning from them – we’ve had some really great singing instructions from our singing coach. It’s been a really good time,” Goodyear said.
This year's production follows the beloved story of The Wizard of Oz, with the main characters being Dorothy, Glinda the Good Witch, the Scarecrow, Tinman, and the Lion. The Wizard of Oz allows them to achieve their goals, but the path is not without challenges along the way.
“The Wizard of Oz has always been a fan-favourite, family-friendly show and I wanted to be able to contrast with last year’s production of Mamma Mia! and be able to invite other members from the community to be able to see the show,” Goodyear said.
The cast and crew have been working tirelessly this term to create a magical experience for the audience, with elaborate sets and dazzling costumes.
Bert Church's drama program has a long-standing tradition of putting on productions every spring. Their most recent shows were A Winter’s Gift in 2021 and Mamma Mia! in 2022. This year’s production promises to be just as memorable and enchanting as those that have come before it.
“This year we are also offering a dinner theatre on Friday’s show catered by the Bert Church High School’s Culinary Arts Program and served by the cast from The Wizard of Oz,” Goodyear said.
The Wizard of Oz will run four show times – May 4 to 5 at 7 p.m and May 6 at 2 p.m and 7 p.m – at the Bert Show LIVE Theatre. Entry is $15 for regular admission and $10 for students and seniors, and tickets are available for purchase at tickets.airdrie.ca. Audiences are encouraged to get their tickets early to avoid missing out.
As the students put the finishing touches on their upcoming performances, the excitement is palpable among the cast and crew. They are ready to take the stage and bring their characters to life, in a story that has captured the hearts of generations. For these high-school drama students, there really is no place like home.
