Welcome to the Acts Production of The Wizard of Oz For some youngsters it’s their first time being on stage with Acts, we welcome them and hope they enjoy the experience. As we welcome new members it’s always sad to say goodbye to some of our older members who are going on to university or full-time employment, we wish them well for their future. It's also time to say farewell to Ellis Pearce after 10 years as a member and in the last few years, as our choreographer. To Ellis we say a very big thank you for all your hard work. To our production team Emily, Ann, Daisy, Jessica, and Mel a big thank you. Also thank you to Andy and his crew for the set building and for their work as stage crew for the show. Val and I would not be able to do it without you all. Now we’re off down the yellow brick road with the Scarecrow, Tinman, Lion and of course Dorothy and Toto, to find the Wizard. Join in with us and enjoy the show. Alan & Val
Directors – Emily Searle and Ann Palmer Emily has had a passion for theatre from a young age and enjoyed many years on stage with ACTS, Sally Williams, Renegades Carnival Club, Bridgwater Pantomime and more recently Bridgwater Operatic Society with their production of Priscilla. Emily is nearing the end of her PhD studies whilst being an associate lecturer of psychology at UWE (Bristol). However, she loves to spend her free time volunteering for the amazingly talented members. Emily has been co-choreographing Junior ACTS with her wonderful sister and directing Senior ACTS for the past 5 years, what makes her stay is the confidence and growth she sees in each of the members. Emily is so proud of each cast member for all their hard work and dedication towards the show, she cannot wait for the audience to travel over the rainbow and watch the gifted members of ACTS bring Oz to life.
I'm pleased to say that this production has been a real joy to direct with Emily, it's spooky how we think alike. The whole production team have made rehearsals run smoothly and a great environment for our members. To watch our cast grow in confidence from our auditions in February to our final show, they always amaze me with what they can do. I hope you enjoy your trip down the yellow brick road.
Choreographers – Daisy Searle and Ellis Pearce Daisy is a primary school teaching assistant. She started her dancing journey through ballet and then moved on to be part of Sally Williams Dancers at the age of 10. She has been choreographing for the Juniors of ACTS and some Senior musical numbers for the past four years. The first show Daisy choreographed was “The Little Mermaid” it was special because not only was it her favourite Disney film, but she co-choreographed it with her sister Emily. Daisy loves to spend time working with the talented members, they always put in so much effort and continue to improve. Daisy has enjoyed working with Ellis on choreographing The Wizard Of Oz and can’t wait to see the members work hard in the merry old land of Oz. Ellis joined as a member of ACTS theatre school in 2011, and has been in many productions, charity shows and showcases throughout the years. Ellis then took on the responsibility of choreographer in 2016 and has worked with both Junior and Senior groups since then, with her favourite shows she had choreographed being The Lion King, Barnum and Joseph. Ellis has worked with the members throughout her studies in college and University and continues to do so while working as a Paramedic for South Western Ambulance Service, thanks to the support of all the production team and the members. Ellis has really enjoyed working with Daisy to choreograph this show and be back dancing together following their years of dancing together in Sally Williams Dancers and is really looking forward to seeing everyone’s hard work come together in the show.
Vocal Coach – Jessica Gardener Jessica has been performing in the local area from a very young age as part of the Sally Williams Dancers and ACTS Theatre School. She has secured many amazing roles such as Nancy in Oliver and Cosette in Les Miserables. More recently Jess made her debut with Bridgwater Operatics Society as leading lady Jo March in Little Women, her favourite role to date. She also gained an operatic cameo role in their most recent production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Jess graduated from the Italia Conti Academy in 2020 where she had the opportunity to be the Assistant Musical Director for their 3rd year musical. She is now a Performing Arts Assistant at The King Alfred School and has returned to ACTS as their vocal coach. Jess is the Musical Director and a singer for vocal group ‘The Vixens’ and a member of local band ‘The Jukeboxers’. She also Musically Directs as part of The British Flag Carnival Club. Jess is really excited to being working on her first full scale musical with ACTS after coaching and arranging for their recent Summer Showcase and Charity Shows. She is so proud of the hard work the members have put in and cannot wait to see them shine! Lighting Designer – Ian ‘Mel’ Melmoth Mel has been lighting the stage since 1971 when he fell in love with theatre at school. He joined the ACTS family some 20 years ago to light ‘Me and My Girl’ and has lit every show since along with the provision of technical stagecraft of all sorts. Mel said it has been an absolute pleasure to work with the cast on The Wizard Of Oz and hopes he can do them justice. We are off to see the Wizard!
Stage Manager – Andy Pruett Andy has designed our set and worked with our brilliant team of helpers to build & paint his ideas. Andy works in the lead up to the show building the set (as well as some props) and helps on show week to ensure the show runs seamlessly backstage as Stage Manager. Andy has enjoyed watching the members over the past several months and is looking forward to seeing the show come together.
ACT 1 Scene 1: Kansas 1931, Outside the Gale farm Scene 2: The roadside encampment of Professor Marvel Scene 3: Outside the farm / Cyclone Scene 4: Munchkinland Scene 5: A fork in the road / Cornfield Scene 6: The apple orchard Scene 7: Dark and creepy forest INTERVAL (20 minutes) ACT 2 Scene 8: The gates of Emerald City Scene 9: The Wizards chamber Scene 10: The haunted forest Scene 11: Inside the Witch’s castle Scene 12: The haunted forest Scene 13: Inside the Witch’s castle Scene 14: The Wizards chamber / Oz Scene 15: Dorothy’s bedroom
Meet the Cast Dorothy Mia joined ACTS last year, shortly before the Bugsy Malone production, in which she performed as one of Tallulah’s dancers. Mia also took part in the recent Charity Show, Musical Memories, where Mia sang her first solo lines for ACTS. Mia loves to perform and has lots of stage experience. She has been dancing with Fox King Dance Academy since the age of 2, and is part of their performance team, where she performs as a soloist and part of a group. Mia has taken part in many shows held locally at the Town Hall and the McMillan Theatre. She has been lucky enough to perform on stage at Euro Disney and has danced for a professional touring Theatre company. Mia has also performed with James & Murphy Productions in Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk, held at the McMillan Theatre, as part of the junior ensembles. Mia is thrilled to be playing Dorothy for ACTS, as Mia has dreamed of playing this role ever since she was a little girl.
Toto Lilly has been a member of ACTS since 2017 and has been performing on stage from a young age. She has also been dancing for Lola Fisher Dance Academy since the age of 3 and performed a beautiful pointe solo in our ACTS Showcase in August 2021. During her time at ACTS she has been involved in many productions and has secured roles such as Narrator in Aladdin (2018), Mer-sister in The Little Mermaid (2019) and Tallulah’s Dancers in Bugsy Malone (2021) - as well as solo roles in our charity shows such as Marty in Madagascar and Katherine Parr in Six. Lilly has also previously taken part in Pantomime where she played Pinocchio in Pinocchio (2016) and Toto in The Wizard of Oz (2017)! Lilly is thrilled to be taking the role of Toto to the stage once again and perform with her wonderful Acts crew this summer.
Scarecrow Alex joined acts at a young age and coincidentally his first role was the Scarecrow in one of our charity shows, which is why he is thrilled to be returning to the character. He has previously been Shoulders in ACTS production of Bugsy Malone. Alex has also had solos in our recent Charity Show Musical Memories, including Elvis and Starmaker. Alex will be using his brain to take his GCSE’s this summer but will be leaving it behind to play the Scarecrow!
Tinman Oscar has been performing with ACTs since 2015 at the age of 8. Oscar’s first stage performance was in Lion King, where he played one of the Hyenas. Other main roles have included: Aladdin, Bugsy Malone and King Triton in The little Mermaid . Whilst the Tinman thinks he doesn’t have a heart, we can confirm Oscar does . Oscar is looking forward to playing his next role, the Tinman, in ACTS production of The Wizard of Oz.
Lion Brad first starred on stage 9 years ago with a Bridgwater Operatic Society production of The King & I, where he acted as Louis. Since joining ACTS, a couple of years later, he has absolutely loved performing in various productions including Hairspray, The Lion King, and Joseph & the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Brad has sung several solo’s in our charity shows and even stepped in to play Dandy-Dan in Bugsy Malone last minute when the cast member went unwell, what a saviour! Although it will be his last show with us, Brad can't wait to step onto the McMillan stage one last time, as the Cowardly Lion, before he heads off to university. The Lion might be a coward, but Brad is not scared to take on this role!
Glinda Lotty has been a member of ACTS since 2013, so has been performing on stage with us from a young age. She is also apart of the Lola Fisher Academy of Dance and performs in the local Carnival Concerts with the Lime Kiln Carnival Club. During Lotty’s time at ACTS she has been involved in many different productions with many different roles such as Lioness in the Lion king (2016) and Corny Collins dancer in Hairspray (2017). She has also had solo roles in our charity shows such as Sophie in Mamma Mia and Kim in Miss Saigon. Lotty is thrilled to be playing the role of Glinda in The Wizard Of Oz, which will be her last show with us before she goes off to study musical theatre at university in September. We know she is going to do amazingly and cannot wait to see what the future holds for her!
Wicked Witch Ava joined ACTS in 2017 when she was 11 years old. However, she started performing on stage before this with Sally Williams Dancers and is now also a part of Renegades Carnival Club. Ava has been involved in many productions with ACTS, in particular loves playing the evil roles. She has taken on characters such as Ursula in The Little Mermaid and Miss Hannigan in our charity shows. Ava is once again looking forward to tuning into her dark side to play the role of The Wicked Witch.
Wizard Amelia first started dancing on stage at the age of 2 and has been a dedicated member of ACTS since 2014. She has been part of many shows and has performed a range of roles such as Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray, Narrator in Aladdin and a wife in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Amelia has also sung within our charity shows, some of the characters she has played include Mary Poppins and Elphaba from Wicked. Amelia cannot wait to bring out her acting skills to play the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz.
Aunty Em Emily has been a member of ACTS since 2018 and is thrilled to be playing the role of Aunt Em in ACTS production of The Wizard Of Oz. Emily has been involved with many previous productions such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream coat and Bugsy Malone. She was also in The Little Mermaid (2019) where she played the role of a Mer-Sister. In our charity shows Emily has sung various solos, she performed as Nala where she sang ‘Shadowland’ from the Lion King as well as singing songs from Waitress and The King and I. This is Emily’s 4th production with ACTS and she is very excited to show her caring side whilst playing the role of Aunt Em.
Uncle Henry Max first joined ACTS in 2015 when he was 9 years old. He performed in Oliver Twist as an orphan. After some time away, Max re-joined ACTS in 2021 due to his love of performing and took part in the Musical Memories charity show. Max aims to have a career in performing arts and hopes to gain a place on the course at college in September. Max is excited utilise his acting skills whilst playing the part of Uncle Henry.
Munchkins Mayor – George Darley
Barrister – Daisy Lee
City Fathers – Issy Halley & Jessica Simmons
Coroner – Reuben Britton
Lullaby Tots – Daisy James, Olivia Walton & Emily Caddy Tough Kids – Eva Chambers, Kieran Cahill & Archie Cann Munchkins – Florence Clarke, Farrah Morrisey-Brawley & Emily Mitchell
Ozians Doorman – Charlie Griffiths
Guard – Hollie Wilkins
Maitre’ds – Abi Thomas & Emily Palmer
Polishers – Lois Thayer & Maddison Dodden
Manicurists – Erin Roberts, Charlotte Kozai & Ella Darley Beauticians – Lucy Benbow, Leia Cann & Kizzy Webb
Other Roles Crows – Hollie Wilkins, Leia Cann & Alvia Henderson Apple Trees – Kacey Parker, Lily Phillipson & Georgia Wheeler Nikko – Daisy Lees
Head Winkie Guard – Cameron Angel
Full Cast List Juniors Aaliyah Slattery Beth Parkin Charlotte Roper Ellie Johnson Emily Mitchell Eva Chambers Farah Morrisey-Brawley George Darley Jessica Simmons Kieran Cahill Noah Parsons Rueben Britton
Archie Cann Charlie Griffiths Connor Robertson Emilia Caddy Emmelia Miller Evie Henson Florence Clarke Issy Halley Kacey Parker Mia Lott Phoebe Pattern
Seniors Abi Thomas Alivia Henderson Ava Popham Bradley Croucher Cara Morgan Daisy James Ella Darley Elsie Allen Emily Palmer Georgia Wheeler Hollie Wilkins Kizzy Webb Lilly Webber Lois Thayer Lucy Benbow Olivia Walton Phoebe Weaver Summer Brooksbank
Alex Mead Amelia Saleh Ava Scobie Cameron Angel Charlotte Kozaj Daisy Lee Ella Date Emily Long Erin Roberts Hannah Chappell Izzy Howes Leia Cann Lily Phillipson Lotty Sealey Max Bannister Oscar Taylor Sammia Pruett
PRODUCTION TEAM Production Managers – Alan & Val King Directors – Ann Palmer & Emily Searle Choreographers – Daisy Searle & Ellis Pearce Vocal Coach – Jessica Gardener Lighting Designer – Ian Melmoth Sound Engineer – Nick Bell Sound Assistant – Steve Davidge Scenery Design – Andy Pruett Set Construction – Andy Pruett, Mickey Pearce, John Maguire & Stuart Chappell Stage Manager – Andy Pruett Stage Crew – Mickey Pearce, John Maguire, Stuart Chappell, Ethan Chappell & Ian Thomas Calls – Tom Crout Costume Hire – Ariel Company Theatre Additional Costume Design – Debbie Ison Hair and Make-Up – Lucy Bennett & Team Chaperones – Leonie Britton & Team Raffle – Barbara Browne ACTS would like to thank the following for their help and support in the lead up to the show: Kathy Innalls Ariel Company Theatre Hamp Junior School St Georges Hall The McMillan Theatre
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19th – 21st JANUARY 2023 AT THE MCMILLAN THEATRE