SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Season 22 for The Premiere Playhouse doesn’t begin until late September, but the community-based theatre organization is gearing up for a special youth edition of “The Wizard of Oz”.
“You’re going to see Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, everyone, just through a different light,” The Premiere Playhouse Managing Artistic Director Oliver Mayes said.
The cast and crew of The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition are preparing for opening night. It’s an education production from The Premiere Playhouse and part of The Penguin Project.
“It’s a national organization, we’re the 39th chapter in the nation, and the only chapter in the state of South Dakota,” Mayes said.
Oliver Mayes is the managing artistic director.
“The objective is to put a mixture of disabled and non-disabled youth together to put a production on for the community, and making sure that the environment, both rehearsal and performance is comfortable for a person of any ability whether that be a neurological disability, physical disabilities, or anything of the sort,” Mayes said.
“I had a huge debate about being the Wicked Witch or The Cowardly Lion because I’m a cat person, but I also enjoy being the villain,” performer Emma Schrank said.
Emma Schrank settled on the role of The Cowardly Lion and is in her third year with The Penguin Project.
“I think it would be really nice if I could just become a professional actor someday, that would be really awesome,” Schrank said.
Each performer is paired with a mentor during this free four-month program leading up to a production.
“So we have nearly 50 performers on stage, 30 of which are artists, 20 of which are mentors,” Mayes said.
“I love being with my mentor because she always has really creative ideas and it’s just fun to be around, to get to know somebody you could always rely on,” Schrank said.
Mayes says that mentorships are constantly evolving based on a performer’s needs. As for Schrank, she’s already looking forward to the next Penguin Project.
“I just love acting and singing, and really hope they go for The Lion King next year. I really want to be Timon or Pumbaa,” Schrank said.
