Arts in Motion’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” at Pasco Middle School was all about transformations.
Dorothy’s perspective on Kansas changed.
The Tin Woodsman got a heart.
The Cowardly Lion, courage.
The Scarecrow, a brain.
And, two wicked witches met their ends.
The characters in the theater troupe changed, too, as there were two major casts, which switched out for performances. Seven of the cast members had a chance to play major roles and minor roles in two performances each, through a bit of creative casting.
“Double-casting allows more kids to have bigger roles,” explained Jill Ricardo, vice president of production for Arts in Motion, via email.
“The Wizard of Oz” production involved 38 actors, ranging in age from 5 to 17, Ricardo said. The performances were given on the evening of May 19, the afternoon and evening of May 20, and the afternoon of May 21.
Most of the actors come from East Pasco, but some come from as far away as Riverview, Ricardo said. The performers began rehearsing in mid-February and held rehearsals for eight hours a week, Ricardo added.
Arts in Motion is a nonprofit community youth theater and arts education organization. It aims to give children in kindergarten through 12th grade a chance to participate in the visual and performing arts, according to the organization’s website.
The goals are to help youths to build confidence, to help them learn how to collaborate and to stimulate their creativity, the website adds.
Since its formation in 1995, Arts in Motion has produced such musicals as “Back to the 80s,” “The Little Mermaid,” “A Christmas Carol,” Seussical the Musical,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Grease” and “The Sound of Music.”
Besides two large-scale productions each year, Arts in Motion also hosts workshops in audition technique, voice, acting, improv and dance, and holds week-long summer camps.
For more information, visit ArtsInMotionPasco.org.
Published May 31, 2017
