Dorothy Gale is whisked away in a tornado to a magical land where she must follow a path full of challenges, triumphs, and nightmare-inducing flying monkeys. In the Land of Oz, the yellow brick road leads Dorothy and her friends to the Emerald City, where things aren’t quite what they imagined. In the Land of Waconia, Theatre Directors Melissa Ricard and Bailey Willhite and a wealth of community members are hopeful it will lead the award-winning theatre program on a new adventure, one that begins with its first community-wide production of Wizard of Oz this summer, and from there… who can say what the crystal ball will reveal? Unlike The Great and Powerful Oz, members of the theatre program are proud to step out from behind the curtain, ready to take the next step and prove that there’s no place like Waconia.
Running on donations and dreams, Melissa and Bailey are putting on the first community-wide musical production in decades, hoping to inspire ages 8-adult to give theatre a chance. The program will run through Community Education, and all are welcome to be a part of theatre history, whether behind the scenes, in the orchestra, or as actors on stage. “The Wizard of Oz” will rehearse Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings in June and July, with performance weekend July 18-20 at Waconia High School.
“In my eyes, there are no downsides to theatre,” Melissa shares. “We have flourishing marching band and show choir programs, so the greater Twin Cities area already knows that we have talented instrumental and vocal musicians, not to mention a state-of-the-art auditorium. We have a burgeoning speech team at Waconia High School and multiple dance programs, so why NOT theatre?” She goes on to say that no matter if you’re assuming a leading role or managing props, being involved in the theatre program builds confidence, strengthens organizational skills, cultivates teamwork, and grows interpersonal skills of people of all ages. “Theatre has been around for thousands of years. That speaks volumes about its joy and impacts across cultures and centuries.”
Another aspect of theatre that Melissa and Bailey appreciate is the welcoming atmosphere it fosters and the shared experiences it creates for all. “Every show establishes a sense of belonging and community, giving everyone involved a feeling of pride and purpose. Lifelong friendships are forged, and you learn so much about yourself and general life skills.” She also emphasizes that theatre is inherently an interactive art form, though, at times, it may seem obsolete with the implementation of technology. “You still have to show up, work hard, and collaborate with others without burying your face in your phone.” And if you’ve ever been to a Waconia High School production, you’ve seen these core principles come alive on stage.
All this talk about the collective begs the question, how will an expansion to community-wide productions impact the well-being of the community? Melissa jokes – well, half-jokes – that she and Bailey single-handedly keep the local restaurant economy afloat during the fall and spring shows, and the kids’ Door Dash order count during Tech Week is always quite impressive. “And who doesn’t want to do ‘dinner and a show’? If people are already coming out for the production, why wouldn’t they try a local restaurant or wander the shops downtown?”
Introducing a fresh initiative also sparks excitement, an energy that’s always in demand. “Even those who admit they’re not “theatre people” have had a hand in helping our productions. From buying furniture, props, and costume pieces to organizing fabric and lumber drives for extra supplies to Waconia Brewing Company letting us have a newspaper donation box in their business so our Newsies had something to carry last fall – every contribution has made a difference. The community engagement and support have been heartwarming, to say the least.”
So, why is now the right time for a community-based production in Waconia? “There aren’t a lot of adult arts opportunities in Waconia. The community band isn’t together anymore, and we don’t have a community choral program outside of church congregations, so besides throwing ourselves into our kids’ activities, there’s no true place for artistic expression for adults.” Last summer’s week-long camp of Frozen Jr. was a smashing success, and this dynamic duo partly attributed that accomplishment to the unconditional support from parents and community members. Once the last snowflake fell and the kingdom warmed, they knew that in the very near future, they wanted to involve the broader community.
If you find yourself humming “Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead”, or you’re starting to wonder if the Cowardly Lion really is as soft as he looks, Melissa and Bailey want you to know that there’s a place for everyone in the production. “From pit orchestra and ticket sales to seamstresses and Munchkin Wranglers (trademark pending), we hope that families go out for the show together!” That’s how these things get done in Waconia, together, and though, in the end, Dorothy’s adventure was only a dream, the passion behind this shared effort is very real.
You can visit their website https://waconiatheatrecompany.my.canva.site/ to be added to informational email lists and sign up for auditions beginning April 1. Auditions are slated for May 19-21 at Waconia High School. Rehearsals begin June 2, and the community is invited to four performances July 18-20 in the WHS Performing Arts Center. You can reach Bailey and Melissa at waconiathreatrecompany@gmail.com.
Every show establishes a sense of belonging and community, giving everyone involved a feeling of pride and purpose.