Lions, and tigers, and Bearcats—oh my! The stage at Anderson County High School is transforming into the magical Land of Oz as students prepare to bring the beloved classic The Wizard of Oz to life.
This year’s production is bigger than ever, featuring an expanded cast, intricate sets, and a live orchestra that brings the iconic music to life. The choice to revisit The Wizard of Oz after 15 years felt right to one of the musical’s four directors, Lauren Koeller. “Wicked recently came out, so little kids are interested in the Wicked Witch,” she explained. “We’ve never repeated a musical before, but our program has grown so much that we wanted to make it bigger and better.”
And big it is! With over 70 students involved in the production—onstage, backstage, in the pit orchestra, and elsewhere—the show is a true testament to student collaboration. “We pride ourselves on being completely student-run once the show begins,” Koeller said. “Nearly everything is in the hands of our incredible students.”
Among those students is Caitlyn Sutherland, who plays multiple roles, including a munchkin, an Ozian, and even the tornado. “You have to be a different person for each role,” she said. “Every character has a story—even the tornado! You have to think, ‘What have I been through? What’s my story?’ and make it come alive on stage.”
Hannah Compton, who plays a lead jitterbug, an Ozian, and several ensemble roles, agreed. “It’s not just about standing there and singing,” she said. “We’ve learned from our directors that every character matters, and we have to create backstories for all of them. It makes the whole production feel real.”
Behind the scenes, the cast and crew have worked tirelessly to build the magical world of Oz. Nearly all of the props were handmade by students, including the individually painted bricks of the Yellow Brick Road and the cotton-candy-like tornado clouds. “Just about every single prop is made by a student,” Caitlyn said. “The bigger stuff, like the house, was built by the directors’ husbands, but the painting, the details—that’s all us.”
Of course, no musical would be complete without live music. Senior Michael McGrath plays baritone saxophone in the pit orchestra, a challenge he wasn’t expecting. “I was a little nervous at first because I hadn’t played bari sax in years,” he admitted. “But I knew it would be good. The learning curve is steep, but once you get it, it’s so rewarding.”
Lauren Koeller reflects on the difficulty of selecting students for such a prestigious opportunity, noting the strength of the school’s arts program. “We’re so blessed here with an amazing and award-winning musical arts program, and I’m sure it was just as hard for Mr. Sohn to choose from such a talented group of student instrumentalists as it was for us to cast the musical,” she said. Michael is proud to represent this powerhouse program in the orchestra, and his contribution, along with that of his musically-talented peers, helps make the magic of Oz come to life.
And what would Oz be without its most fearsome resident? Senior Natalie Drury is stepping into the Wicked Witch of the West’s infamous black hat, a role she describes as both thrilling and demanding. “The voice has been the most challenging part,” she admitted. “I have to keep it scratchy and rough, and I also use a transatlantic accent to really capture her character.” Fully transforming into the role—green skin and all—has deepened her appreciation for the original 1939 production. “It makes me feel more in touch with what Margaret Hamilton was trying to express with the character,” she said. Though the Wicked Witch may be a villain, Natalie delights in the dramatic effect of it all—especially delivering her favorite line with a wicked grin: ‘Don’t you wanna be my old flame?’
But bringing Oz’s most notorious villain to life isn’t just about the performance—it’s about overcoming obstacles, perfecting every scene, and working together as a cast to ensure the magic of Oz shines through. Even with the challenges—like battling through snow days and NTI weeks that cut into rehearsals—the cast and crew have come together to create something special. “We eat, sleep, and breathe Wizard of Oz,” Hannah said. “We love what we do, and we’re giving it everything we’ve got.”
The excitement isn’t just among the students. Koeller believes this production is more than just a musical—it’s a celebration of community. “To me, the most powerful part is the final scene,” she said. “When Dorothy says, ‘There’s no place like home,’ it gets me every time, because there really is no place like Anderson County. Our students show that. They believe that.”
Join the Bearcat family in ACHS’s auditorium on this unforgettable journey to Oz! Performances are March 21st and 22nd at 7 p.m. and March 23rd at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door: $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free admission for children five and under. (A $1 fee applies to credit card purchases.)
So, follow the Yellow Brick Road, grab your seat, and prepare to be swept away—because in Anderson County, there’s truly no place like home!