Paving the Yellow Brick Road: Final Auditions, Cast Lists, and Building Oz
The energy at auditions this past week has been absolutely electric, and we aren't done yet. Tonight marks our final wave of auditions for The Wizard of Oz, and the talent we’ve seen step under the lights so far has been staggering.
Whether it's a seasoned veteran or a first-timer, walking into an audition room takes a massive amount of courage. We had the chance to chat with a few of our auditioners as they stepped off the stage, and their experiences perfectly capture the heart of Broadway Maricopa.
Take Ben, for example—a familiar face who recently brought Vincenzo to life in Murder Aboard the SS Jungle Queen. We joked with him about the unique challenge of a musical audition, pointing out that when you have to sing, act, and dance all at once, you definitely can't just stare at your feet. He laughed and readily agreed that adding choreography and vocals to a character brings a whole new, challenging dimension to performance!
We’ve also seen incredible bravery from our youth auditioners. Jackson opened up about those classic pre-audition jitters that we all get. When asked about his nerves before walking in, he admitted they were "pretty high, but once you get into it, I felt pretty good." He even noted that getting to read lines and do some improv ended up being the most fun part of the entire process.
And then there’s Kensington, another of our talented youth auditioners. After her dance call, she admitted, "I messed up a couple parts, but that's okay." We made sure to ask if she kept on going, and she did! We reminded her right then and there that pushing through mistakes and keeping the scene alive is exactly what makes a great performer. She also shared that the singing portion was what she had been most nervous for beforehand, but was thrilled to report that it ended up going great.
The Waiting Room (And The Cast List)
If you are coming out to audition tonight, bring that exact same resilience and willingness to have fun! Just take it from Ben, who rated his excitement for the production a "10 out of 10" and told us, "I can't wait, I hope I get in."
For those who have already auditioned, now comes the hardest part of theater: the waiting room. Because of the incredible talent that has walked through our doors, our directing team is facing the monumental task of making some very difficult casting decisions.
If you are constantly refreshing your email, take a deep breath. The official cast list for The Wizard of Oz will be posted right here on our website this Thursday, May 14th, at 5:00 PM.
Keep the Journey Going: The Summer Academy
Our journey on the yellow brick road doesn't stop with the cast list. Theater is about building the exact resilience Kensington showed, and learning the dynamic skills Ben talked about.
If you are looking for a way to keep your kids engaged, active, and building that unshakable confidence all summer long, the Broadway Maricopa Summer Academy is officially open for registration. Starting in June, we are hosting immersive workshops for ages 5-17:
K-Pop Krew (Ages 5-8 & 9-12): Perfect for high-energy kids who want to burn off summer steam while mastering modern choreography, rhythm, and stage presence.
Under the Sea (Ages 5-8): An imaginative dive into musical storytelling and song for our younger performers.
Heroes & Villains (Ages 9-12): A thrilling introduction to stage combat and character acting.
A Very Potter Experience (Ages 9-17): (Almost Full!) A magical deep dive into the wizarding world.
Spots are filling up quickly, and class sizes are strictly capped to ensure every student gets individualized attention.
Brooke Trast standing in front of the mural she painted for Murder Aboard the SS Jungle Queen.
Building the Emerald City: A Call for Volunteers
Finally, a production of this magnitude is never just about who is standing in the spotlight. It takes an entire community to build something as massive and magical as the Emerald City.
Just ask some of Maricopa’s incredible local artists, Brittany and Brooke! If you were amazed by the amazing paintings, murals, and pieces from our maiden voyage, Murder Aboard the SS Jungle Queen, you have their artistic vision and countless hours of hard work to thank.
Now, as we prepare to build the visual world of Oz, we need a crew to help bring the yellow brick road to life! We are actively looking for volunteers to join in, whether that be set-building or painting. Regardless of if you are an experienced artist, handy with a drill, or just want to hold a paintbrush and help create the magic, there is a place for you in our theater family. You do not need to be a performer to be a crucial part of this journey.
Ready to help us build the Emerald City? Click the link below to join the crew and sign up as a volunteer! For any additional questions about how to assist as part of the crew, please feel free to reach out to us via email at broadwaymaricopa@gmail.com.