Line Mountain students create magic with 'Wizard of Oz'

Kaitlyn Troutman, marching band and musical director, hopes audiences take away a renewed love for the story that she herself loved growing up.

“I wish for the students and the audience to learn and remember the theme of believing and following your dreams, no matter how crazy they may seem,” she said. “It has always been a dream of mine to perform this show, and now I am the director of it!”

Kendal Heim, a 10th grader who plays Dorothy, has appreciated being able to experience Dorothy’s adventure from the school’s stage and watching the story come to life with “such great people to experience this with.”

“Dorothy is kind, passionate, and knows what she wants,” Heim said. “Dorothy loves her family, friends, and of course Toto, and would always do anything for them.”

Brookelyn Zartman, 11th grader, has found the Scarecrow’s doubts on his intelligence to be insightful in her experience of doubting her own intelligence, abilities and potential, she said.

“Although the Scarecrow is in search of a brain, he actually had one the entire time, and he demonstrates it through his resourcefulness and strategic ideas,” Zartman said. “Playing the part of the Scarecrow has taught me you’re capable of more than you think. Additionally, it has shown me how crucial friendships are for navigating challenges like Tin Man, Dorothy and Lion do in the musical, but also how the cast has come together as friends to overcome any obstacles.”

Troutman has been impressed at how the four main characters get along so well.

“Their friendship on stage isn’t really acting at all. It is coming from their hearts,” Troutman said. “They work together well to act in character, keep the scenes moving and help each other remember the others’ lines.”

Cadence Walshaw, 12th grader, described his character as “a scared little kitty cat that says he has no courage at all,” although throughout the show, the Lion progressively gains more and more courage, Walshaw said.

“I enjoy playing the Lion because it not only makes people laugh but has encouraged me to grow my own courage and sing as confidently as ever,” he said.

Chloe Renard, 10th grade, has found that movies like “Wicked” help to show that the Wicked Witch has a story audiences can sympathize with.

“The Wicked Witch is portrayed as an anger-filled villain who only wants power,” Renard said “This can be true, yet I see her as much more than that ... I enjoy playing the Wicked Witch because I can play her as not only the ‘Wicked Witch’ but as Elphaba (from “Wicked”), as well. It gives me a sort of freedom to express both characters.”

Fun and appreciation

Traveling along the Yellow Brick Road every night brings a mix of humorous and poignant moments, Troutman said, like when Mark Carta as the Tin Man misread the script at an early rehearsal.

“Our Tin Man was getting his heart, and instead of saying, ‘Listen. It ticks. It ticks!’ as the script writes, he started laughing, saying ‘It tickles!’ and started acting like he was being tickled, believing that’s what the script said,” Troutman recalled.

Zartman laughed remembering when the leads decided to recite their lines with a British accent.

“We could not hold back our laughter and barely stayed in character as Dorothy called for Toto, and it sounded nothing like the dog’s name!” Zartman said.

Renard often stays after rehearsals to help the stage crew, but one night no help was needed.

“So Blake (Rothermel, head theatrical technician) and I grabbed the Winkie wands and chairs to ‘sword fight,’” Renard said. “As soon as I pushed off the chair I face-planted directly onto the stage floor. I couldn’t help but burst out laughing as everyone else was, too. I will never forget that, mostly because it gave me a purple battle scar on my knee. However, spending time with theater friends is something nobody will forget!”

Heim was touched by the thoughtfulness of Michael, a 5th-grader in the show.

“He wrote a letter one day to all of the leads telling us how great we’ve been doing and how he’s loved getting to know all of us,” Heim said.

Troutman pointed to Dorothy’s “crazy adventure full of twists and turns” during which she stayed the course and believed she and her companions would reach their goals.

“This lesson can be applied to all of our lives,” Troutman said, “and especially for these students who are starting to figure out who they are and what they want to make of their lives in the future.”

Tickets will be available at the door or by calling 717-692-3526.

Cindy O. Herman lives in Snyder County. Email comments to her at CindyOHerman@gmail.com.

If You Go What: “The Wizard of Oz” When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Where: Line Mountain High School Auditorium, 187 Line Mountain Rd., in Herndon How much: $10 adults, $8 non-Line Mountain students, Free for senior citizens (with LM Sr. Cit. Pass), preschoolers, and LM students. More information: “LM’s Spring Musical” on Facebook or www.linemountain.com {related_content_uuid}038b9c7d-0080-447a-8f35-501d5e9078f7{/related_content_uuid}