Union University’s Music Department presented “The Wizard of Oz” March 19-21 at 7 p.m. in the W.D. Powell Theater, with a special performance on March 23 for local grade schools.
The cast included Union students from a range of majors, with children from around Jackson playing the munchkins in Act 1 and snowflakes in Act 2. Each spring, the music department stages a different musical or opera, holding auditions in the fall.
“I think one of the most challenging things is working with the actors’ schedules because so many of them are dedicated students as well as performers,” Autumn White, a senior TESOL major and one of the stagehands, said.
Emma Willis, a junior worship leadership major, played Glinda and spoke about balancing the production with her academics.
“This week, I’ve kind of made it where I could just forget about schoolwork for a little bit, but I’ve been reading in the corners, catching up on my literature stuff,” Willis said.
Dr. Kate Rawls, associate professor of music, directed the production. She discussed the rehearsal process and how it differs from recitals and other performances.
“I think stories bring us all together. They teach us things. It’s a shared experience,” Rawls said. “There’s something about being in a live performance like this that bonds us together.”
The audience included students, parents and local residents, some of whom brought their children to the show. Rawls shared what she hoped audiences would take away from the performance.
“I hope it’s just a night that the audience is able to sit back and not worry about what else is happening,” Rawls said. “I also hope it helps to foster a community of the arts and to build up the arts on this campus.”
Willis agreed, sharing why she thought “The Wizard of Oz” was a timely production.
“I think it was just cool with ‘Wicked’ having just come out,” Willis said. “Even though ‘Wicked’ isn’t ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ it’s kind of bringing that story back, and people are thinking about it more.”
After the show, the cast lined up in the hallway for a meet-and-greet with audience members.
“It’s really fun because I already know the story, and I’ve seen it a couple times,” Eli Isom, a senior English and psychology double major, said. “I like being sucked into a story, and when it’s people I know, it makes it funnier.”
“’The Wizard of Oz,’ in general, is taking you out of reality into this dream world where everything is wacky,” Willis said. “It’s supposed to get you into that mood of ‘Wow, I can just laugh and let go of all the things I feel like I’m stressed out about in my everyday, black and white life and visit the colorful world of Oz.’”
