By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
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“It is a very exciting thing,” observes Prairie Fire Theatre director Brianna Homan. “Traveling around and teaching young actors about the power and challenges of theater.”
Fellow director Meredith Ayedelott says the key is to show and share the same level of energy with the performers as is hoped for from them. In addition to that:
“Everything has to be planned down to the minute.”
The two-hour performance of “The Wizard of Oz,” as interpreted by writers and composers Daniel Nordquist and Deborah Pick, featured nearly 80 NRHEG elementary students from kindergarten through sixth grade. Prairie Fire directors Ayedelott (as the scarecrow) and Homan (as the wicked witch) joined their young proteges on the stage.
As the performance was about to begin, Homan brought the entire cast out onto the stage and informed all in attendance that the production they were about to see had been cast on Monday, had held 4-hour rehearsals each evening, and was now ready to perform on day 6. She credited the enthusiasm of the young actors and the dedicated support (and snacks) provided by parents and family members.
She also thanked the NRHEG Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) for sponsoring the workshop and performance.
The two directors explain that they arrive at the location with the set and costumes needed for the performance. They cast the play and begin practice right away on day 1. A must-have skill to bring it all together, Homan admits, is “getting and keeping” the young actors’ attention as they learn the stage movements, lines, and song lyrics.
Within an hour of the performance’s close, Homan and Ayedelott had the costumes bagged, the props packed, and the stage set disassembled. Indicating the bags, poles, and cushions, Homan commented, “We have to get it just right. After all, everything has to fit into a minivan.”
As NRHEG’s young actors headed home filled with excitement and a sense of accomplishment, the two directors were packing and preparing for their next production of “The Wizard of Oz,” this time in Red Wing.
Performers this past Saturday were Dorothy, Aubrey Baseman; Toto, Sophie Johnson; Aunt Em, Johannah Bennett; Uncle Henry, Brayton Kruger. Munchkins Axl Nelson, Kyla Eustice, Anarae Williams, Cassidy Wallace, Kiara Moen, Zoey Trebor-MacConnell, Trinity McFarland, McKenna Moody, Madison Erickson, Brooklyn Sorgatz, Chase Karge, Audrianna Kadrlik, Kaisley Gehrke, Lydia Louks, Jack VanHal, Isabella McKenna, Makenna Misgen and Asa Bethke. Glinda the Good Witch, Grace Riskedahl. “The Yellow Brick Road,” Jacquelyn Duryee and Kendel Klocek. The Flying Monkeys: Adrian Naser, Monroe Wayne, Keneth Nelton, Jordy Klocek, Julian Naser, Daisy Ettlin, Sophia Groeneweg, Alexis Olson, Tianna Wallace, Evelyn Schlaak, Presley Roeker, Adler Bethke, Reed Budach, Aiden Louks, Noah Riedl, Asa Wilson, Haven Hanson, Wyatt Olson and Maggie Lundak. The Winkies: Kenzi Ward, Kendall Whiteside, Chase Simon, Breckyn Moen, Grace Wear, Cameron Frahm, Charlotte Tuttle, Ridley Grahnwich, Rylea Walk, Ava Lisowski, Preston Misgen, James Brunsen, Parker Simon, Kashton Gehrke, Abram Chance, Ben Service, Ruxin Anderson and Addison Quade. Playing the Tin Man was Ella Jeno; The Lion was Devlin McWilliams, The Green Guard was Eva Buendorf, the Wizard was Violette Botten. The Traders were Sofie Bunn, Gracie Luna, Tiffany Jewison, Adelynn Grams, Crissa Koopal, Brynna Novotny, Ella Schlaak, JayLee Larson, Alayna DeShanne and Ryle Cromwell.