Director's Note:
Welcome to our production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz! It’s an absolute pleasure to bring this beloved story to life on stage, and I am thrilled to have you join us on this journey to Oz.
Directing this play has been such a special and cute experience. I’ve always been drawn to the collaborative nature of theater, and I am so grateful to be able to help lead a team of talented artists toward a shared vision. This story holds a special place in my heart, and we have all put a lot of love into every aspect of this production.
Our goal has been to create an experience that honors the essence of L. Frank Baum’s original book and Jacqueline E. Lawton’s adaptation while also offering something immersive and exciting for our audience. While staying true to the original setting and time, we’ve infused the stage with enchantment, utilizing detailed costume pieces, practical effects, live music scoring, and amazing puppets of many sizes and shapes to transport you into the story.
I want to express my gratitude to everyone involved in bringing this production to life. From the cast and crew to the designers and technicians, each and every person has poured their heart and soul into making this show a dazzling display of theatrical magic.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of the story or experiencing it for the first time, I invite you to immerse yourself in the wonder and excitement of Oz.
Thank you so much for coming!
CAST:
Jada Miller – Dorothy
Kaiah Costa – Toto
Alayna Chamberland – Aunt Em, Locasta, Glinda, Oz Puppeteer
Al Oiseau – Uncle Henry, Munchkin, Wizard, Oz Puppeteer
Debbie Sampson – Wicked Witch of the West
Lex Langguth-Torres – Scarecrow
Eyota Wak’ishuit – Tinlady
Jasmine Gannie – Cowardly Lion
Izumi Huff – Wildcat, Guardian of the Gates, Oz Puppeteer
Twana Beedle – Munchkin, Flying Monkey, Crow, Oz Puppeteer
Ryker Wheeler – Munchkin, Flying Monkey, Crow, Oz Puppeteer
Evan Grinnell-Holderman – Munchkin, Crow, Ball of Fire
CREATIVE CREW:
Vanessa Postil – Director, Props Master
Anya Guadamuz – Stage Manager
Alayna Chamberland – Costumer
Rebecca Rogers – Set Designer
Jordanna Averett – Scenic Artist
David Nowitz – Scenic Carpenter
Kefa Crow – Sound Designer
Elijah Bellis – Light Designer, Pianist
Cici Stephens – Clarinet
Crow Richardson – Sound Board Operator
Special Thanks:
To all of our helpers, carpenters, painters, and folks who loaned us things!
- Mike Taylor
- Emily McHugh
- Donald Palardy
- String and Shadow Puppet Theater
Support our Sponsors!
CAST BIOS:
Jada Miller
(she/her)
Dorothy
Jada is absolutely freaking delighted to be a part of her fifth Olympia Family Theatre show! Jada found her love of theater tripled at OFT 10 years ago, when she got to watch a beautiful adaptation of her favorite book. Every part about this production, from the cast and crew, to the set, and to the most amazing director and stage manager has been a delightful experience. Jada is ecstatic to show off this hilarious, adorable show with her friends and for you to see it! <3
Kaiah Costa
(she/her)
Toto
Kaiah can’t wait to bring Toto to life in Oz! This is her first puppeteering role. Previous OFT roles include Mirror Toad in The Wind in the Willows and numerous daytime show productions. She currently serves on the board of directors at OFT. She would like to thank Anya, Vanessa, and the whole cast and crew of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz!
Alayna Chamberland
(she/her)
Aunt Em, Locasta, Glinda, Oz Puppeteer
Alayna has been a dedicated member of the Olympia artistic community for over two decades. Not only is she thrilled to be sparkling onstage for this show, but she is also the wonderful Production Manager for OFT. Alayna studied experimental theater at Evergreen State College and has been seen in productions all over the Pacific Northwest. When she’s not performing in variety shows or making checklists for productions here, she is usually reading horror novels or caretaking for her literal zoo at home (she is proud to be the mom of two cats, three lizards, a turtle, and a tortoise!)
Al Oiseau
(he/him)
Uncle Henry, Munchkin, Wizard, Oz Puppeteer
Al Oiseau is thrilled to be making his debut with the Wonderful World of Olympia Family Theater in this manifestation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
He has been doing “The Art Thing” for the past 40 years – performing theater, dance, and unintelligible performance art, creating sculpture and paintings, and composing poetry and other forms of story-telling.
He wishes to express his gratitude to his family: Appleblossom, Oskar, and Pig Pig, for their steady support and encouragement. There’s no place I’d rather be than with you.
Debbie Sampson
(she/her)
Wicked Witch of the West
Debbie is thrilled to return to the stage at Olympia Family Theater with The Wizard of Oz! It has been more fun than she ever imagined playing such an iconic villain. She hopes you enjoy the show as much as she enjoys being in it! Her most recent OFT appearance was as Nana in The Velveteen Rabbit. You may also have seen her in Olympia Little Theatre’s Clue! and The Man from Earth. When not playing in the theater, Debbie enjoys spending time with her favorite humans and animals at home. Much love and thanks are sent to her family for always generously sharing her with the theater.
Lex Langguth-Torres
(they/them)
Scarecrow
Lex is thrilled to return to the stage for their 4th performance with Olympia Family Theatre! Lex appeared in OFT productions such as Lucha Virus as Nana/Chancla/célula sana, The Secret Garden as Mouse, and an original retelling of Alice in Wonderland as the Mad Hatter! They are over-the-moon to have been able to collaborate with the best and cutest cast and crew that could be found in the land of Oz!
Eyota Wak’ishwit
(she/her)
Tinlady
Eyota Wak’ishwit is rebuilding her life, and partaking in this play is part of it. This is her first play outside of school, and so far she has found it incredibly healing. When she’s not producing music or hanging out with the cuties, she’s contemplating becoming her future self, always.
Jasmine Gannie
(they/them)
Cowardly Lion
Jasmine Gannie is a part time worker full time friend. Some of their favorite roles have been the Evil Step-mother in their high school’s production of Cinderella as well as Charon in OFT’s The Lightning Thief. When they’re not rocking out, they’re enjoying their comfy couch as well as the wonderful company in their cozy home.
Izumi Hufff
(he/they)
Wildcat, Guardian of the Gates, Oz Puppeteer
Izumi is joining the cast and crew for his fourth show at OFT. He attends Olympia High School and has been acting for ten years. Some favorite roles include: Fan in A Christmas Carol at the Harlequin Theater, and Catherine Parr in Six: The Musical at Lakewood Playhouse. He hopes you enjoy OFT’s rendition of The Wizard of Oz.
Twana Beedle
(she/her)
Munchkin, Flying Monkey, Crow, Oz Puppeteer
Twana is a strong believer in Sasquatch! She is a sixth-grade student at Reeves Middle School. Twana is very excited to return to Olympia Family Theater (OFT)! You may have seen her on stage in A Christmas Carol (2021, 2022) at Harlequin, in The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus at OFT, or in An Improbable Peck of Plays vol. V with Theater Artists Olympia. On screen she was honored to star in the short films Nightcap in 2022 and Basket Lady in 2023, from the Intertribal Youth Film Project produced by OlyFilm. Twana has loved being part of Creative Theater Experience (CTE) since first grade. In addition to theater, she enjoys making balloon animals, horseback riding, playing the stand-up bass, and math. She loves her cats, Zeus and Mittens, and her two guinea pigs, Alfredo and Chilli!
Ryker Wheeler
(he/him)
Munchkin, Flying Monkey, Crow, Oz Puppeteer
Ryker is beyond excited to be performing in his second show at OFT! His favorite part of the show has been watching the set come together like magic and spending time with the cast backstage. When not onstage, Ryker can be found working on the novel he is writing.
Evan Grinnell-Holderman
Munchkin, Crow, Ball of Fire
Evan Grinnell-Holderman, born first in the twin set, loves reading, archery, performing arts and spontaneous gymnastics moves. In his first production with OFT, Evan has loved learning the process and interacting with all the great mentors. They also love the written word and hope to write their own plays soon.
CREWS BIOS:
Vanessa Postil
(she/her)
Director. Props Master
Vanessa is an Olympia based performing artist, mama, dancer, choreographer, producer, musician, actor, Teaching Artist, and lover of cats. Vanessa has been working in theater and performance for over 20 years, and is very grateful to be part of this production here at OFT with this talented rockstar cast and crew. Thank you all so much for coming!
Anya Guadamuz
(they/them)
Stage Manager
Anya has been a part of OFT for a little over two years now. Anya is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such talented artists, designers, and actors. Anya has been involved with OFT as a Teaching Artist, Stage Manager, Vocal Director, and most recently, the Director for Barney Carey Gets His Wings. Outside of OFT, Anya enjoys spending their time singing with Capital City Chorus, going to local shows with their friends, and predicting the future.
Alayna Chamberland
(she/her)
Costumer
Alayna is honored to be the costumer for this dream production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. She put her whole heart and soul into every single costume you see onstage and is so excited about the fantasy world that she helped create. Alayna would like to thank her family for not only letting her borrow their sewing machine but also threading it for her every time she used it. Also a huge thanks and shout out to our magnificent director, Vanessa Postil, for helping her every step of the way and taking on special elements like the witch hats!
Rebecca Rogers
(she/her)
Set Designer
Rebecca has been a part of OFT for nearly seven lovely years. Her passion is improvisational theatre. She has been performing and teaching improv for over 25 years all over the country and even in Paris, France. (Ask her about it. It’s a good story!). Rebecca wears and/or has worn many other theatre hats: Actor, Director, Teacher, Playwright, Props Master, Stage Manager, and Stagehand. She just can’t seem to get enough. Ask her anytime about her favorite roles, shows, props, or theaters! Rebecca recently became an elementary school music/drama teacher. She is discovering the rightness of the universe and couldn’t be happier.
Jordanna Averett
(she/her)
Scenic Artist
Jordanna is an Olympia artist and theater creative. She’s worked with our local theaters as a stage manager, scenic artist, set, properties, puppet designer and builder, and as a board op– it’d be an understatement to say she is passionate about all things behind-the-scenes! Recent favorites include: helping to build the upcoming giant puppet show, Or So It Would Seam with String and Shadow, and getting to fly set pieces in Hurricane Diane. Jordanna loves working with the passionate folks at OFT, and is grateful for the creative spirit that thrives here! And of course, infinite love and thanks to Danny.
David Nowitz
(he/him)
Scenic Carpenter
- The dunking donut for Flora & Ulysses
- Building an escalator for Corduroy
- Making a recycling machine with working wooden gears for Cinder Edna
- Making an under bed and over bed/jungle gym in The Monster Under the Bed
- Making a bed fall through a ceiling in Mercy Watson to the Rescue
- The TV falling in Dragons Love Tacos
- Kabuki style curtain drops for Nyx and The Long Night
- The truck in The Girl Who Swallowed A Cactus
Kefa Crow
Sound Designer
Kefa Crow is an autodidactic Sound Designer/Tech/Engineer, Composer, Producer, Foley Artist, Stagehand, Multi-Instrumentalists Musician, Performer, Skater, Father, Activist and Community Organizer. They have worked on many theatrical productions since 2018 and on public/private events for over a decade. They have zero tolerance for hate and litter bugs!
Elijah Bellis
(he/they)
Lighting Designer, Pianist
Elijah Bellis is very excited to make his lighting design debut at OFT! They have recently done lighting design for Our Town and Beauty and the Beast at North Thurston High School, as well as other lighting work for The Evergreen State College and SPSCC. They have also been seen here at OFT doing music and acting for some of their shows, classes, and events. He is excited for you to see the show and hopes you enjoy the lights!
Cici Stephens
(she/her)
Clarinetist
Cici is thrilled to bring her musical talents to the Wonderful World of Oz! This is her first time being a part of an OFT production, and it has been a fantastic experience. When she’s not playing her clarinet, she enjoys singing, acting, playing volleyball, and being a pet mama to one delightful dog and six silly chickens. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Crow Richardson
Sound Board Operator
Crow is a senior at Timberline High School who has primarily run lights for a variety of productions for the past 4 years at various schools! They are delighted to be working with Olympia Family Theatre for the first time – as sound board operator! A few notable productions that Crow has designed and operated lights for are: Pippin, The Addams Family, She Kills Monsters, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and House of Mirth. They would like to thank the Tucketts from Timberline for giving them a wonderful environment to hone their technical theater skills in their final years of high school!
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