ELY – The Yellow Brick Road led to Ely last weekend as the Prairie Fire Children’s Theater, with the help of the Northern Lakes Arts Association and Lake Country Power, presented “The Wizard of Oz.”
The Vermilion Community College Fine Arts Theater was transformed into the wondrous land of Oz as at least 30 area children, ages 7-18, participated in the weeklong theater workshop that culminated in two performances last Saturday.
This life changing week has been enjoyed by the young people of this community for almost 25 years, and thanks to a grant from Lake Country Power’s Operation Round Up the 2022 theatre camp was free for all who wanted to participate.
“The Northern Lakes Arts Association believes that the arts should be accessible to everyone,” said Managing Director Ian Lah. “And thanks to Lake Country Power they are.”
Local youth actors included Jordan Borchert, Henry Gilson, Oliver Hohenstein, Nels Majerus, Reagan Borchert, Luke Moravitz, Lennon Brecke, Juliet Stouffer, Moss Erzar, Stella Koivisto, Siiri Nelson, Ameila Strom, Ian Anderson, Keller Strom, Sadie Nelson, Emory Hohenstein, Mariam Messerschmidt, Sydney Cooley, Payson High, Amiah Brandau, Ellie Marshall, Lily Schroeter, Coco Gillson, Eleanor Stocks, Alyssa Anderson, Gordon Smith, Juliana LaMontague, Lucy Luthens, Fiona Ollson and Molly Moravitz.
Two adult directors from the Prairie Fire organization, Kiera McManus, who played the Scarecrow, and Bel Sierra, who played the Wicked Witch of the West, worked with the local cast members all week to rehearse lines and singing. All costumes were provided.