Southeastern Louisiana University

Children, adults can audition April 20-21 for 'The Wizard of Oz'

Contact: Christina Chapple

4/11/07

     HAMMOND – Oh, my! Who will play Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, the Lion, the Wicked Witch, and a myriad of munchkins in the Southeastern Louisiana University Opera/Music Theatre Workshop’s June 22-23 production of “The Wizard of Oz”?

     Adults and children are being invited to audition for these and other coveted roles Friday, April 20, and Saturday, April 21, in the choral room (room A163) of the Pottle Music Building Annex. On both dates, children entering grades 3-8 in fall 2007 will audition from 3-6 p.m., and adults, high school students and university students will audition from 7-8:30 p.m.

     Workshop director Charles Effler said auditioners should be prepared to sing one verse of any song. Since a pianist will be provided, pre-recorded accompaniment is not allowed, but auditioners may sing unaccompanied.

     Effler said the show offers the role of Dorothy for a young girl plus a number of leading roles, supporting roles and chorus parts for children and adults. To give as many young people as possible an opportunity to participate, the cast will include extended “munchkin” and jitterbug dance choruses.

     New Orleans director/choreographer Alton Geno, who staged the recent Southeastern summer production of “The Music Man,” will again join Southeastern faculty and staff to create “The Wizard of Oz.”

     “The Wizard of Oz” is made possible through the major financial support of Southeastern's College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts; and Opera/Music Theatre Workshop and funds from the Louisiana State Arts Council and the Louisiana Division of the Arts and the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge through the Decentralized Arts Funding Program. Additional financial support comes from the Hammond and Amite Wal-Mart stores and the Distribution Center in Robert, North Oaks Health System, Tangipahoa Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau, Guaranty Savings Bank, Encore Development Corporation (Ed and Peggy Hoover), and Fay and Phelan Bright.

     Tickets are $24, Orchestra I, Loge ($21.50, senior citizens, children); $21, Orchestra II ($19, senior citizens, children); $18, Orchestra III, Balcony I ($16, senior citizens, children); and $15, Balcony II ($13.50, senior citizens, children.) A $1 service fee is added to each ticket.