LEH International School Foshan is proud to present the school’s first production of the timeless classic, "The Wizard of Oz" (Young Performer’s Edition). We would like to extend the invitation to all members of the school community and any interested families to join us on the 29th or 30th of March, to witness the extraordinary talents of our students from all year groups as they showcase their acting, singing, and dancing skills in this fantastic drama show.
Date & Time:
Session I: 17:00 – 18:30, 29 March
Session II: 18:00 – 19:30, 30 March
Venue:
LEH Foshan School Theatre
Our students have been preparing for this production for months, investing countless hours of practice, hard work, and dedication to perfect their performances. They have been rehearsing for hours on end, building their characters, honing their performance skills, and working together as a team to put on a spectacular show for you.
The production will take place in our school's state-of-the-art Black Box Theatre, which has been specially designed for events like this. The seats are limited, and we encourage you to sign up early to secure your spot. The production is suitable for all ages, and we welcome the entire family to enjoy the show together.
Behind the Scenes…
Behind the scenes, there have been many highlights that have contributed to the excitement and anticipation of the big day. The students have been collaborating, supporting one another, and building a strong sense of community and teamwork. Teachers and staff have been working tirelessly to ensure that everything is ready for the show, from creating fantastic sets to sourcing the intricate costumes.
We invite Mr Savill, Head of Drama and Head of Creative Arts Faculty to share more stories behind the scenes.
Mr Stuart Savill
Mr Stuart Savill is the Head of Drama & Creative Arts Faculty, and Exams Officer with over 20 years of teaching experience. He has also held positions including Student Council Coordinator, and worked as a Senior Examiner and Senior Moderator for GCSE Drama.
Producing a musical is actually a very long process and involves a large number of people, many of whom the audience will never see. It begins with selecting the musical and applying to the rights holders for a performance license. Different production elements, such as, set, lighting, sound, and costumes have to be designed, chosen and created etc.
A production like this also requires the support of a whole team of people fulfilling a range of roles. In rehearsals, there are several staff members working with me to lead additional rehearsals and complete other tasks. For example, Ms Morgan, who has led the dance rehearsals and created the large group dances for the Munchkins and Jitterbugs.
Mrs Chapman has been helping students explore their lines and clarify words that they don’t know – our play is set in 1950s America and our script contains lots of unfamiliar and old-fashioned American slang words.
Mr Hobourn is helping soloists to learn their songs. And Miss Jessica and Miss Kitty are ensuring prep school students arrive and depart the rehearsals safely and on time, as well has helping with all the other little things that need to be done during a rehearsal.
Rehearsals begin with learning songs and reading through the script. Then we begin blocking, which is where we decide where each character will enter and exit, and where they will stand or move around on the stage. Dances and songs are gradually developed and improved, actors learn their lines and build their characters, and scenes start to take shape.
The rehearsals are not the only place where work is going on to prepare for the production. Outside of the rehearsals, there are more members of the production team finalising our costume and props list, and I have been spending time in the workshop building stage flats that will help create the wings (the hidden areas where the actors enter from) at the sides of our stage.
The costume is one of the highlights of this production, and the students have been very excited to try on their outfits. They have been experimenting with different hair and makeup styles to perfect their look, and it is sure to impress the audience. The attention to detail in each costume is impeccable, and we know that it will add to the overall spectacle of the show.
We would also like to share that this production has given our students a chance to explore and develop their creativity, confidence, and imagination. The story of Wizard of Oz focuses on the themes of friendship, home and facing a challenging journey. These themes are important aspects of life at LEHF, where for many students the school has become a second home away from home, a place where they make new friends, and a place where every day we face new challenges, whether it be within our school work, or the challenge of creating our first musical production.
LEH Foshan is delighted to be able to provide our students with such a fantastic opportunity to showcase their talents and grow as individuals. It has been a unique and valuable learning opportunity that has allowed them to discover their interests and strengths while encouraging them to push their boundaries and explore new territories. We hope to see you all at the show and make it an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
With Music and Lyrics of the MGM MOTION PICTURE SCORE by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg
Background Music by Herbert Stothart
License managed by Harmonia Holdings, Ltd. under special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.