---

Rehearsals reached the half-way mark at Festival Theatre where a multi-age cast is preparing for the next Youth & Family Theatre production. "The Wizard of Oz"opens March 27 with a two weekend run for the general public. The show is part of Festival's new arts education initiative and includes five morning matinees open to schools and homeschool families, starting March 24.

Directing a show with this age range, might seem to be a huge challenge, but director Marilyn Mays, of Chisago City, says "the greatest challenges don't have anything to do with their ages (aside from teenagers and hormones and not wanting to look silly, etc.), rather it has to do with their previous experience and comfort levels. It would be terribly easy to turn to one of the young actors that I've worked with before and ask them to perform a task (knowing full well that they could do it easily and quickly) versus turning to someone new and asking them to do the same. It takes a great deal more time, energy and patience, but watching them accomplish something they didn't think they could do ten minutes ago is priceless!"

The roles of Dorothy and Toto have been double cast with Mikayla Johnson of North Branch, MN and Ashley Johnson, Forest Lake, playing Dorothy. Two St. Croix Falls students, Anja Erickson and Anna Klein will play the role of Toto.

"These four girls range in age from six to ten. We also have teenagers and adults in the cast, so it's really a rich experience for the actors and production team," said Danette Olsen, Executive Director at Festival.

There are five teenagers in the cast, including a new resident of the valley, Treana Mayer in the role of the Good Witch of the North. "As one of the oldest cast member, it feels like a pretty big responsibility because the younger kids kind of naturally look up to me. So far it's been pretty good experience because of the diversity - it feels more like community with different people getting together instead of the a single age group that make up a classroom."

Adult actors include Janey Raven of Dresser, Amanda Schulze of Milltown, and Jeremy Richter of St. Croix Falls.

"Jeremy is playing the Lion," said Amy Klein, Festival's Education Director, "and along with Palo Deconcini of St. Croix Falls as the Tin Woodsman and Jasper Herman of Taylors Falls as the Scarecrow, we have quite a trio to accompany Dorothy on her journey!"

The Youth & Family Theatre project is in its second year of existence at Festival Theatre. As a key piece of Festival's arts education program, the staff holds some very high ideals for learning. For instance, when asked what she most hopes the youth learn from this experience, director Mays didn't hesitate to say, "First and foremost, that it's okay to make mistakes and that admitting that you were wrong is not only totally acceptable it is encouraged. Often, adults and/or parents want to be perfect role models for kids and in striving to become that image, forget that we all make mistakes. I say to them all the time, 'Who told you to stand over there -- that was a terrible idea! Me? Well, my idea was a terrible idea! Let's try standing over here instead.' The kids are let off the hook -- it isn't their fault that there was a problem -- and they get to watch an adult admit that it's okay to goof up. Also, I hope they have fun and want to participate in the theatre again. I hope their problem solving skills grow and their self-confidence and self-worth flourish."

Evidence of progress seems to come directly from the mouths of those who have been participating in the program.

"Being in a play is hard work, but even that is part of the fun" said Jasper, who starting performing last year at Festival as the littlest Wilbur in "Charlotte's Web." With "Oz," Jasper is performing in his fourth show. "I like how it feels, it's energizing. It's really good working with adults because right from the beginning they're acting instead of just reading their lines. With younger kids in the cast, it sometimes takes a little bit longer, but that doesn't really bother me. I used to be worried about a lot of things, like memorizing lines and having stage fright. Then I figured it out that everyone helps and you always get it done."

When asked what he thinks will be the most fun in playing the part of the Scarecrow, Jasper laughed, adding "Not having a brain!"

Public performances of "The Wizard of Oz" begin Friday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. and run through April 5. Single tickets are $12.50 for adults and $7.50 for youth. A limited number of matinees are available to school groups for field trips and reward days. A curriculum resource packet has been developed by the Arts Education department at Festival Theatre - the focus is character education. To learn more about opportunities for school groups, call Amy Klein at 715-483-3387 or check the website listed below.

Festival Theatre is located in downtown St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin at 210 North Washington Street. To reach Festival Theatre by phone, call 715-483-3387 or 888-887-6002. You may also send an e-mail to [email protected] or check the website at www.festivaltheatre.org.

---