Ever wonder what really goes on behind the curtain of a big school musical?

With glitter, teamwork, and a touch of Oz magic, CIS Secondary School’s students and staff brought the classic tale of The Wizard of Oz to the David Foster Theatre. Everyone poured their energy into a show as ambitious as it was magical!

A team effort like no other

Pulling off a Broadway-level production is no small feat, and this one took a village. At CIS, that meant 170 students and 33 staff members working together across performance, music, directing, backstage, costumes, sets, props, and publicity.

With each rehearsal, the artistic vision of the musical kept evolving. Students and teachers added their own ideas, creativity, and personality to the show. Every department lifted the others, turning the entire production into a team effort like no other.

"Although coordinating so many moving parts was a challenge, the process was incredibly rewarding." — Director Jasmine Rodgers

Eco-Friendly Theatre

One of the most impressive parts of the production was how creatively eco-friendly it was. Costumes like the "bubble" dancers’ outfits were made entirely from recycled plastic packaging and old tutus, while other elements were reused and repurposed. It became a fun challenge that encouraged students to be creative and think sustainably.

Teachers Jessica Follett and Elizabeth Sarich recall moments like creating the dancing poppies, adjusting each dress for comfort, and adding chiffon scarves to match the vision.

"It was a huge amount of work. I even had dreams about chiffon and poppies! But the result was worth it." — Costume Designer, Jessica Follet

Students forming the Sets and Props Co-curricular Activity dedicated months transforming recycled materials into the magical world of Oz. Think hand-painted Munchkinland leaves, hand-crafted wheat fields, and countless tiny details that made the stage come alive.

"Students researched each scene and identified set pieces from previous musicals that could be repurposed. I wanted them to embrace the challenge of reusing without buying new materials" - Creative Director, Liz Sarich.

Unforgettable moments

One highlight came just minutes before the final performance when students spontaneously gathered around the piano to sing an impromptu rendition of My Way by Frank Sinatra.

It was one of those simple moments that summed up the whole experience.

"Watching students hug, cry, sing, and celebrate what we had created was incredibly moving. Seeing how proud they were of themselves and of this massive group effort was beautiful!" - Director, Jasmine Rodgers

Beyond the story

Bringing a production of this scale to life took hundreds of hours of rehearsal, planning, and problem-solving. Behind the magic of The Wizard of Oz is the dedication of staff and the effort, talent and creativity of students.

"Students were able to create characters, block scenes, create choreography, design lighting and sound, plot microphones, and so much more! I hope the community recognises just how smart, capable, and collaborative our students are." - Director, Jasmine Rodgers

Along the way, students put a whole range of skills into action. From managing time and coordinating with teammates, to designing sets and costumes, choreographing scenes, and running lighting and sound, they learned to think creatively, solve problems, and adapt when things did not go as planned.

From behind the scenes to the final bow, The Wizard of Oz was a production to remember.

We hope you feel the magic the way we do! Watch the full show here.