from The Wizard of Oz Programme 2023

Dorothy Jessie Walton - Year 8

I have loved to perform since I was very little. I went from doing baby ballet when I was three, to now being Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz! I belong to a performing arts group outside of school called Barton Court Studios. This is my second school production at Ballard and it is also my first main role here, although out of school I was Oliver, Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Alice in Alice in Wonderland. In the future, I hope to be a successful actor or singer, as I love both of those things!

Dorothy

Bella Phipps - Year 9

I have always enjoyed singing and joined all the choirs at Ballard. I have been dancing since I was three with certificates in ballet and jazz. I have been involved in several school productions and was cast as Chip in Beauty and the Beast in 2019, a mermaid in Peter Pan and Hortensia in Matilda Jr. and I can’t wait to see what will be next! I hope to have a future in performing arts. A passion of mine is costume design and it has been a great opportunity to design and create Glinda’s dress. I also enjoy helping backstage during school productions, the most recent one being Frozen Jr. where it was a delight to see the younger children perform.

Glinda

Ava Dunford - Year 11

I have been singing since I was two, and first performed as Mary in a Nativity. Since then I have been working towards my grade 7 singing and grade 7 acting before I leave Ballard at the end of this term. I am a Performing Arts Scholar at Ballard, and I will continue my journey with a Drama Scholarship at Millfield. I have played the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat, Tallulah in Bugsy Malone and most recently, Miss Honey in Matilda the Musical. I have loved being a part of The Wizard of Oz and working with all the younger pupils as the Munchkins, it’s been a good break from the stress of GCSEs and it will be the best way to finish my time at Ballard.

Wicked Witch

Edie Smallwood - Year 11

This is my first time having a lead role in a production.

I recently finished my GCSE drama course. I am a very expressive person who loves performing. When I was ten, I played Snake Eyes in my primary school production of Bugsy Malone. Although only having two lines and being dressed as a man, I loved the dancing and atmosphere on stage. I hope to act outside of education in the future.

Wicked Witch

Charlotte

Silver - Year 9

I started Swish at four years old and attended Rising Star Dance Academy for two years when I was five. Recently I passed my grade 4 singing exam with distinction and passed my grade 3 violin with merit. I have also been a member of Visions Dance Company since Year 4. Roles have included: Jo Jo in Seussical the Musical, Smee in Peter Pan and Bruce Bogttroter in Matilda. One day I would like to attend Performing Arts College. I have thoroughly enjoyed working on this show, not just being on the stage - but seeing how much work and effort is put into the set building and costume work in Theatre Production Club.

Oz

Ollie Stott - Year 10

I enjoy singing and am grade 4 guitar. In my previous school, I played Stan, in the play Super Stan, and Jacob in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. I look forward to continuing Performing Arts throughout my school journey. It’s been fun to hang out with this great group of people, albeit in the weird and wondrous Land of Oz!

Lion

Elliot Watson - Year 10

I am a Performing Arts Scholar, currently grade 5 classical singing as well as performing bass guitar. I played Oaken in the Years 1-6 production of Frozen Jr. and this is my first Ballard Years 7-11 performance. I played a Hobo in The Little Shop Of Horrors in my previous school in New York, which has a deep solo line in the opening track Downtown.

I hope to pursue Performing Arts at A-Level and beyond. I want to thank Jenny Lowe for all the support outside of my performance.

Miss Gultch

Honey Howes - Year 10

Scarecrow

Ed Farthing - Year 10

I have been singing since my first school show way back in Year 3 and I got a Drama Scholarship at Ballard in Year 9. Roles have included Rudolfo and the Escapologist in Ballard’s Matilda Jr. as well as different lead roles pre-Ballard. I hope to continue my passion for Performing Arts in the future and I have loved being involved with the entire school to produce this amazing show.

Tinman

Zac Deeble - Year 10

I have been acting since I was young and recently attended the ISA musical theatre finalists competition. I belong to Swish, have been in past productions, including playing the role of Trunchbull in Ballard’s 2022 production, Matilda Jr. and am currently doing drama GCSE. “Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances.” This quote by Stanford Meisner has stuck with me as I greatly enjoy immersing myself in the character before the show and love living “in a world of a pure imagination.”

I started drama aged three with Swish and I carried on with the school having multiple main roles in many amazing plays and musicals until I was 12. I then did some professional acting for agencies including a Virgin advert. I have had a few roles with Big Little Theatre such as Kaa in The Jungle Book performed at the Pavilion. I have no idea if I’ll be able to fit performing into my life going forward as I’m currently training for the military - but we will see what the future holds!

Toto

Woof woof! Hello there, humans! I’m thrilled to have this incredible opportunity to join my Ballard family on stage. I would one day like to be in charge for the day (although secretly I am the boss already).

Aunt Em

Nina Mathew

I have loved acting and performing arts ever since I was little. I sing all the time at home, and my Mum says I basically live in a musical. I am moving onto my grade 5 singing exam next year. In Year 6, I played the role of Miss Andrews in Mary Poppins. Being onstage makes me happy and it’s also the experiences that come with it; making friends in other year groups, helping backstage and with each production, a new family is created with pupils throughout the school.

Winkies

Professor Marvel / Head

Winkie

Hugh Kelly

Main Guard

Ben Sawdon

I have been at Ballard since Year 7 and sadly this will be my last performance with our amazing performing arts team. Recently, I have been in Matilda Jr. as the Escapologist but you can find me in pictures of productions going back a long time! With my time at Ballard drawing to a close, I am looking forward to going on and doing more performing arts activities out of school. I have loved getting to work with my fellow pupils for one last spectacular performance at Ballard. It’s been a joy getting to perform.

Main Crows / Vocal Ensemble

Megan Guppy

Oliver Hayward

Cassia Sexton-Chadwick

Amelie Wilding

Main Trees / Vocal Ensemble

Evie Barrow

Emily Corrigan

Hannah Downes

Maisie Jones

Uncle Henry/ Winkie

Spencer Kerrigan

Since starting Ballard, I have played the role of Bruce Bogtrotter in Matilda Jr. I am beginning GCSE drama this year and I am looking forward to taking part in further productions.