Broadway visited Franklin, Tennessee Saturday when the traveling production of “The Wizard of Oz” conducted auditions. NETworks, a Theatrical Production Company, will bring “Oz” to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) January 13–18, 2009. In each city, producers search for local talent to fill the roles of The Munchkins, the beloved citizens of Munchkin Country who help Dorothy find The Yellow Brick Road.
Five Middle Tennessee groups sang and danced “Ding Dong! The Wicked Witch is Dead!” on a performance stage at Cool Springs Galleria Mall. Hermitage was represented by Artistry in Motion’s N2Motion Dance Team. Smart Steps traveled from Hendersonville for the audition. Three groups are based in Franklin: Circle Kids, DC Dance Factory, and Ann Carroll School of Dance. Each group had to meet several requirements in order to audition. The group chosen in each city must be able to fit into the costumes that travel with the troupe.
The boys and girls each sang the song twice and then learned a dance combination. Next, each group performed the song with the new dance steps two times for the judges. After more than three hours of work, the Song and Dance Team from Ann Carroll School of Dance secured the roles. The newly dubbed Munchkins screamed and celebrated.
Annie Taylor sat nervously with 11 other performers and two alternates from Ann Carroll. While the judges deliberated, all she could think was, “Oh my gosh!”
“We worked on the song for about three weeks,” said Lauren Whitlock. “We had to practice it over and over again until we had it memorized. I’m so excited!”
The Munchkins spend about 30 minutes on stage during each performance according to Kim Riger, NETWorks’ coordinator of local auditions. She has conducted auditions recently in Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and Schnetady, NY. “I have the best job on the planet.” Riger was very impressed with the talent in Middle Tennessee. “I wish we could have a different group perform every night!”
These were the largest open community auditions a traveling company have held in Middle Tennessee according to Lori Ward, Vice President of Communications and Community Relations for TPAC. “This is a great opportunity for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, neighbors, and fellow students to see these young people in a Broadway production,” Ward said.
The Song and Dance Team only has five weeks to learn the rest of the music and choreography. “Our biggest challenge will be keeping them healthy from now until the performance,” said Robin Collins, mother of Emma and Gracie, two of the new Munchkins.
Ann Carroll School of Dance started in 1970. More than 300 students from age 3–21 take weekly classes in ballet, lyrical, tap, jazz, and other forms of dance.
Official Production website is http://www.wizardofozontour.com
Ann Carroll School of Dance website: http://www.anncarrollschoolofdance.com
Amateur Video is available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcRI_7mMNWc
Tennessee Performing Arts Center: http://tpac.org/
Tickets are available at the TPAC box office, at Ticketmaster locations, and at http://www.ticketmaster.com.
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