Journey to oz resources
Journey to Oz is a fantastic new adaptation of the classic story by L. Frank Baum (author) and W. W. Denslow (illustrator). Audience members are invited to participate in the production, singing, dancing, and acting alongside professional actors. When the cyclone comes, the entire theater enters the eye of the storm with whisking lights and exciting music created by Barrymore award-winning composer, Josh Totora. Students play 16 individual roles during the play, and several are chosen to dance in the Emerald City.
Journey to Oz is a co-production of the Experiential Theatre Company and the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, where it received its world premiere. It was originally developed by Florida Repertory Theatre and was written by Christopher Parks, based on the works of L. Frank Baum and W. W. Denslow.
Christopher Parks is the Artistic Director of The Experiential Theater Company, which brings immersive, interactive theater to young audiences throughout the United States, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. His TYA work has been seen at theaters all over the country and abroad, including, McCarter Theatre Center, The John F. Kennedy Center (New Visions/New Voices
2010), Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, and Florida Repertory Theatre. Past director/playwright TYA productions include The Odyssey Experience, Sunjata Kamalenya, The Adventures of Perseus, Aesop’s Fables, Arabian Nights, and Quest for the Holy Grail.
Renowned children’s book author L. Frank Baum wrote his classic masterpiece The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900 and penned the book and lyrics of a Broadway musical adaptation two years later. Baum wrote a total of thirteen books set in the magical world of Oz in addition to more than 40 other novels and hundreds of works in other literary forms.
Artist W. W. Denslow illustrated The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and other L. Frank Baum titles. Denslow also illustrated his own children’s nursery rhyme compilations, and an original work, The Pearl and the Pumpkin.
ABOUT THE NJPAC ON THE MIC PODCAST
NJPAC On the Mic invites your students to expand their experience of attending a SchoolTime Performances show. We provide three podcast episodes for each production, suitably aligned with New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) and New Jersey Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Competencies. With NJPAC on the Mic, the learning begins before—and continues beyond—your visit to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center!
How to Listen to njpac on the mic podcast
BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE
Episode: ABOUT (5 minutes)
Listen to this audio via the embedded media below for an introduction to the performance, the artist or company, and the venue.
Includes: An introduction to the performance, artist & venue, welcome message
Written and hosted by Dania Ramos
Additional writing by the team behind Journey to Oz
Sound editing, sound design, theme music, and voiceover by Michael Aquino
Additional music from Epidemic Sound
Welcome message voiced by Jillian Paige Platero
Series producers: Michael Aquino and Dania Ramos
AFTER THE PERFORMANCE
Episode: CONNECT (9 minutes)
Listen to this audio via the embedded media below for reflection questions, a closer look at an aspect of the performance such as historical context or background on the art form, and a brief selection of vocabulary words.
Includes: Reflection question, scenes from L. Frank Baum’s original text The Wonderful World of Oz
Written and hosted by Dania Ramos
Original text from The Wonderful World of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Sound editing, design, and theme music by Michael Aquino
Additional music from Epidemic Sound
Opening question voiced by Alana Frederick
Performers: Jillian Paige Platero, Alana Frederick, Lael Harvey, Preston Díaz, Victor Pérez Caba
Series producers: Michael Aquino and Dania Ramos
Episode: SPOTLIGHT (10 minutes)
Listen to this audio via the embedded media below for an exclusive interview with an artist from the production or an NJPAC staff member followed by discussion prompts.
Includes: A movement activity that explores the main characters from Journey to Oz
Written and hosted by Dania Ramos
Sound editing, design, and theme music by Michael Aquino
Additional music from Epidemic Sound
Series producers: Michael Aquino and Dania Ramos
NJPAC On the Mic is produced in partnership with CM Studios.
NJPAC Arts Education performances team: Rosa Hyde, Treasure Borde, and Kendall Lipham
CM Studios producers: Michael Aquino, Dania Ramos
NJPAC and CM Studios are located in Essex County, New Jersey, situated on the traditional territory of the Leni Lenape people.
Episode links and sources
NJPAC | Arts Education programs: njpac.org/arts-education
NJPAC | About NJPAC: njpac.org/about
NJPAC resources | Journey to Oz: njpac.org/arts-education/teacher-resources
Experiential Theatre Company | Journey to Oz: exptheater.org/workshops.html*
Journey to Oz Promo Video: youtu.be/96KT59eM4Cs?si=o5A4NpwWoUySDHNC*
Project Gutenberg | The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: gutenberg.org/ebooks/55*
Britannica | The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: britannica.com/topic/The-Wonderful-Wizard-of-Oz*
Lit Charts | The Wizard of Oz: litcharts.com/lit/the-wizard-of-oz/characters*