If you go
WHAT: The Wizard of OzWHO: Drama CentralWHERE: Fine Arts Center, Bradley Central High School, 1000 S. Lee Highway, ClevelandWHEN: Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at 2 p.m.TICKETS: $8 for children under 12 and senior citizens; $12 general admission. Tickets available at the door or by calling 423-476-0650.
CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Although the fictional world of Oz only lasts for a few hours during Drama Central's upcoming performances of "The Wizard of Oz," the sets of Munchkinland, the Haunted Forest and Emerald City have called for a lengthy "all-in" collaboration among several departments at Bradley Central High School.
"The production requires what basically amounts to a rotating set in a theater that doesn't allow for that," fine arts teacher and director Lindsey Smith Bell said. "I loathe scene changes and I rarely, if ever, choose plays that can't be easily transitioned from location to location. 'Oz' was a beast for that."
That's where cabinetry and construction instructor Paul Shull and his students come in, Bell said.
The solution to quickly transitioning between rural Kansas and multiple locales in Oz called for the creation of three-sided wheeled props constructed of wood and painted canvas, she said.
"It's a great learning experience for my students," said Shull, who has years of professional experience in making cabinets and curved stairs. "They get to see the end result of their work and also get to see their customer appreciated it."
The mobile multifaceted scene pieces, measuring 10 feet tall and known as "flats" in theater terms, also required some consultation with the math department, he said.
The original positioning of rotating metal poles hidden inside the three-sided props had to be relocated to the "mathematical center" to perfect the balance of the scenery pieces, Shull said. The interior poles enable one stage handler, instead of several handlers, to maneuver the large props, he said.
A number of wheeled wooden boxes that feature painted flowers, stones and other scenery also have been created for the production.
Bell said that, while it only takes a twist of the props to transform the stage from spooky woods to Emerald City spires or Munchkin dwellings, it still takes a lot of practice to get the timing right.
Members of the more-than-40-person student cast and crew agree.
"I think, by far, this production has been the most challenging," said senior Dustin Roberts, who plays the role of the Scarecrow and has been a part of Drama Central productions for four years. "We have so many other things going on."
Not only does the show put several rotating set pieces in play, but it requires increased and coordinated use of lights, fog and other special effects, he said.
The students are quick to point out Bell is the force who enables their extended show family to bring life to the many Oz sets.
"We could not ask for any better director than Lindsey," said senior Anais Epperson, who plays the role of Dorothy.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.