Girls’ School Production Brings Timeless Oz to the Stage
The curtain lifted at ASB Waterfront Theatre and, with it, the audience was whisked from Kansas into the technicolour world of Oz. For four showings from 15 to 17 September, our Girls’ School brought the L. Frank Baum’s classic to life with a production that was as bold in scale as it was rich in heart.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow opened the evening with a note of nostalgia, pulling the audience instantly into the world of Oz. Dorothy, played alternately by Molly Boyd and Isabel Selwyn, led the journey with curiosity and conviction. Joined by her companions, the Tinman (Annabel Bartlett/Addison Aves), Scarecrow (Eva Gillespie/Savannah Fuscic), and Lion (Teagan Harrison/Monica Qian), she followed the yellow-brick road, past apple-throwing forests, to the Emerald City. The Wicked Witch of the West, played by Madison McQueen and Willa Gilchrist, was in hot pursuit of the determined group appearing in the box seats throughout the show.
The staging and props were ambitious and inventive. A Toto puppet, crafted by librarian Lisa Bently, was deceivingly realistic, particularly when brought to life by puppeteers Norah Zhang and Grace Baker. Year 0–6 ensembles filled the stage with jitterbugs, munchkins, and protective trees under the direction of choreographer Jess Wahlstrom, while Bel Moore’s dance troupe and vocal coaching from Bianca Porter and Anji Toy ensured the musical numbers resonated with clarity.
The production’s success lay as much behind the curtain as it did on stage. At the helm were Director Judy Norton, Music Director Anji Toy, Bianca Porter, and Assistant Director Sharon Tuck, supported by dozens of Year 7 and 8 students who made up the technical, marketing, front of house, and backstage crews. They worked alongside a dedicated team of staff and parents to bring the production to life. Costumes, sets, student-made digital backdrops, hair, and makeup combined to create a visual spectacle, with every detail adding to the magic of Oz.
For the cast, the process was a maturing experience. “Performing has taught me it’s about having fun, not being perfect,” reflected Isabel, one of the Dorothys. Wicked Witch performer Madison admitted she “was jumping around and yelling with excitement” when cast, while Tinman actor Annabel noted the thrill of trying something completely new. Their reflections suggested the story’s own themes had spilled into reality, with the process building confidence, collaboration, and courage both on and off the stage.
The Wizard of Oz may be a story about seeking what one believes is missing, but this performance proved the opposite. Our students already carry remarkable bravery, imagination, and talent. And so the sentiment remains: courage, heart, and brains were never in short supply.
