THE WIZARD OF OZ JR (2023)

The HAT Academy presents THE WIZARD OF OZ JR

Directed & Choreographed by Wesley J. Colford
Music Directed by Dane Pedersen
Assistant Choreographed by Hannah MacIntosh
Stage Managed by Sasha Young

Featuring some of the most talented young performers on the island, The Wizard of Oz JR is a family friendly adaptation of the movie musical beloved by generations.

With all your favourite songs, like We're Off to See the Wizard, If I Only Had a Brain, and Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

When Dorothy Gale is blown far, far from Kansas into the techni-colour land of Oz, it doesn't take long for her to realize there's no place like home. With the help of Glinda the Good, the Munchkins and her newfound friends, The Scarecrow, The Tin Man, and The Cowardly Lion, she (and her little dog too) must follow the Yellow Brick Road to meet the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz.

The perfect treat for the whole family, in the tradition of Mary Poppins JR, Frozen JR, Shrek JR, and Seussical the Musical.

HERE’S WHAT PATRONS ARE SAYING:

"Fantastic performance. Had 5 children there under the age of 7yrs old and it totally captivated them. The whole production from set design to the individual performances was outstanding." -LP

"Wizard of Oz was amazing. I was at the final show and it was difficult not to tear up at the end when seeing cast members become emotional. It speaks to the difference that this type of experience makes in their lives. What is better than having youth become passionate about something! Thank you for this!" -DC

"We loved The Wizard of Oz Jr! Pure fun! Amazed by the wonderful performance of the talented young artists on stage!" -JH

TRAILER

CAST & CREW

ROSE MACNEIL - DOROTHY GALE
ISLA DIXON - THE COWARDLY LION/ZEKE
VEGLIA HOGAN - THE SCARECROW/HUNK
ABBY SMITH-MACPHERSON - THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST/MISS GULCH
EMMA SMITH-MACPHERSON - AUNT EM
LOGAN DAYE - UNCLE HENRY
MAIA MACKENZIE - MAYOR OF MUNCHKINLAND
BRIELLE BOUTILIER - SR. ENSEMBLE
AIDAN MUNROE - THE TINMAN/ HICKORY
SARAH HELLE - SR. ENSEMBLE
CASSIE LAMARCHE - GLINDA THE GOOD
CAMERON DUGGAN - LEADER OF THE WINKIES
KEARAH SMITS - TOTO
MARINA RUTHERFORD - THE WIZARD OF OZ/PROFESSOR MARVEL
JOVIE MACKINNON - JR. ENSEMBLE
MADELEINE ROSE - JR. ENSEMBLE
MIKE MALCOLM - JR. ENSEMBLE
EZRI SIMMS - JR. ENSEMBLE
ADDISION PEMBROKE BOYD - JR. ENSEMBLE
PRIYA JOSEPH - NICO THE FLYING MONKEY
LILY ANTLE - JR. ENSEMBLE
EMMA THOMPSON - JR. ENSEMBLE
EMILY JOYCE - JR. ENSEMBLE
JORDAN PARNELL - JR. ENSEMBLE
AUTUMN MRAZEK - JR. ENSEMBLE
MACKENZIE JOHNSON - JR. ENSEMBLE
KEIRA COLLIER - JR. ENSEMBLE
BROOKE HARDY - APPLE TREE #1
KYLIE MACDOUGALL - APPLE TREE #3
MILANIA MACINTYRE - APPLE TREE #2
LILY MACKENZIE - SR. ENSEMBLE
SHAYLA BURCHELL - SR. ENSEMBLE
RORY MACDONALD - SR. ENSEMBLE
ELLA-MARIE JACOBS - SR. ENSEMBLE
MADISON JOY - SR. ENSEMBLE
WESLEY J. COLFORD - DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER

Favourite HAT Credits:
The Wakowski Brothers, A Christmas Carol, Heart of Steel, Dream, Disco Nights, She Loves Me, The Drowsy Chaperone (Director)
Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Annie, Matilda the Musical (The Savoy Theatre)
Training:
Sheridan College Musical Theatre Performance, George Brown Theatre School
DANE PEDERSEN - MUSIC DIRECTOR

Favourite HAT Credits:
Rapunzel’s Prince (Into the Woods), As You Like It (Arlo), She Loves Me (Arpad), The Drowsy Chaperone (Gangster), Comedy of Errors (Duke Solinus), The Sea Shanty Show
Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Legends: Remembrance (Savoy Theatre)
Training:
BMUS in Jazz Studies (Voice) from St. Francis Xavier University
HANNAH MACINTOSH - ASSISTANT CHOREOGRAPHER

Favourite HAT Credits:
Disco Nights, As You Like It, Into The Woods, and The Best of Broadway
Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
The Nutcracker, Beauty and The Beast (The Savoy)
SASHA YOUNG - STAGE MANAGER

Favourite HAT Credits:
Seussical the Musical (The Cat in the Hat), Christmas Carol '22 (Ghost Dancer), Matilda (HAT/Savoy), Funny Girl (Dance Ensemble)
RIVER YOUNG - ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Favourite HAT Credits:
Seussical the Musical
Maverick McDougall (he/him) – ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Favourite HAT Credits:
The Sea Shanty Show (Cabin Boy), Frozen Jr. (Kristoff), Seussical the Musical (Wickersham Brother), Into the Woods (Jack), A Christmas Carol (Fred)
Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (Riverview High School), The Outsiders (The Boardmore Playhouse)
KAYLA CORMIER - SET & COSTUME DESIGN

Favourite HAT Credits:
Cabaret (Costume), She Loves Me (Set), Little Shop of Horrors (Set), West Moon (Set), See Jane Run (Costume)
Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Matilda The Musical (Costume Designer, Savoy Theatre); Pillowman (Set Designer, Boardmore Theatre); Hamlet (Scenic Painter, Boardmore Theatre)
Training:
Production Management (CBU)
Calum MacPherson - PROP DESIGNER

Favourite HAT Credits:
HAT Debut!
KEN HEATON - LIGHTING DESIGN

Favourite HAT Credits:
My recent lighting designs include almost everything produced at the HAT since 2014.
Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Grease, Matilda, Mama Mia! (Savoy Theatre)
Other:
It is great to be back at the HAT!
Jonathan Kanary (he/him) - SOUND

Favourite HAT Credits:
Cabaret, Sea Shanty, Funny Girl, Jack & Beanstalk, Blow Me: A Big Bad Musical Comedy
Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
All my favourite projects are at the HAT!
Training:
Nova Scotia Community College, Berklee Music, Nashville Audio Engineering Society
Parker MacKenzie (he/they) - ASSISTANT COSTUME DESIGNER