While the last blog focused on the “what” of our sustainable stagecraft, this time we’re pulling back the curtain on the “how”, the incredible commitment, countless hours, and sheer creative brilliance that are the true foundation of this year’s college production of The Wizard of Oz. 

 The Engine Room: Rehearsals and Choreography 

Bringing a classic like The Wizard of Oz to life is a massive undertaking, and it all revolves around the dedication and practice of our cast and the vision of our production leader, Jenny Boot. Beyond the spotlight, Jenny has poured countless hours of her own time into this project, wearing the hats of choreographer, planner, and producer. 

  • Choreography: Every skip down the Yellow Brick Road, every Munchkin dance, and the dramatic flair of the Wicked Witch’s scenes are the result of meticulous choreography. Jenny has worked tirelessly to design routines that not only capture the spirit of the story but also showcase the talents of our student cast. 
  • Planning and Production: From scheduling grueling rehearsal blocks to coordinating every technical and creative detail, Jenny’s commitment has ensured that the entire production moves forward seamlessly. Her leadership is the driving force that has transformed a script and a group of dedicated students into a cohesive, magical show. 

Creativity Beyond the Stage 

 The creativity of our whole team shines through in every element, from the upcycled props and costumes you read about previously, to the late nights spent running lines and perfecting every note. This production is a testament to the fact that when passion meets purpose, the results are truly spectacular. 

 Building the World: Sets and Props 

 The journey to Oz required a full world to be built, and our team proved that creativity and upcycling go hand-in-hand: 

  • Tina Barnes was a powerhouse of construction, spending hours of her own time during breaks, evenings, and weekends. She crafted the impressive cart that transforms into Professor Marvel’s caravan, along with swords, halberds, the chicken coop, and the scarecrow stand and corn field all from timber brilliantly sourced from pallets, old fencing, and plywood. Not to mention the last-minute request for a Blunderbuss! 
  • Helen Crooke brought the artistic finishing touches, painting old umbrellas to look like flowers, and in a monumental effort spent an entire weekend meticulously jewelling the iconic ruby slippers with almost 4,000 gemstones. She also hand-made chicks and Munchkin hats, Witch’s broom and painstakingly stored all the items to keep them safe for years to come. 

Costumes and Backstage Support 

Every character’s look and the seamless operation backstage are the result of deep commitment: 

  • Anna Inman was responsible for hand-making many of the intricate costumes, Dorothy’s dress, the Lion’s mane, Scarecrow costume, and the Jitterbugs and Poppy costumes. She even hand-sewed 4.5 metres of sequins for Glinda’s beautiful sash. 
  • Tania Yorke was instrumental in securing a vast collection of past costumes from the generous Harpenden Scouts archive, personally selecting and delivering them to the college. 
  • The School Reprographics team provided crucial support by printing scrolls and signs for the production. 
  • Nastija’s beautiful artwork has once again taken pride of place on programmes and costume masks. 
  • Backstage, Jason Hounsell kept the cast on task during practices, ensuring smooth transitions and a disciplined run-through. 
  • Big thanks also go to Annegret Scott and Mrs Boot snr for spending hours ironing in the final days of preparation. 

Music and Final Thought 

 No journey to Oz is complete without music. Andrew O’Brien led the charge with the music and orchestra, ensuring the iconic songs resonated perfectly with the stage action. 

This show is a true labour of love. We hope that you can see the incredible care, passion, and thousands of hours that have been volunteered by every member of the team to bring The Wizard of Oz to life. 

There are limited tickets available for the production here.

For more information on Drama at St Edmund’s, you can click here for GCSE Drama and here for A Level Drama.

Here is a link to a wonderful production we staged last year, Fiddler on the Roof