From staff reports



The Lauderdale County School District will present its first district-wide theater production, "The Wiz," May 7-10, in McCain Theater on the Meridian Community College campus.

Based on the 1975 Broadway musical and Frank Baum's book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the production includes nearly 100 students from Clarkdale, Southeast, Northeast, and West Lauderdale Schools.

Lauren Rogers, of Clarkdale Attendance Center, is playing the part of Dorothy. Rogers, who is 17, has been performing since she was 6 years old. She said rehearsals for this production have given her chills because of the level of talent she is working with.

"It's like being in the middle of American Idol," Rogers said.

Southeast Lauderdale students Jack Branning and Nate Latham are playing the Scarecrow and Tin Man, respectively.

Branning, who has performed with Meridian Little Theater, said work on "The Wiz" has been fun because of the spirit of the cast.

For many of the students performing in "The Wiz," this is the first production they have been in. One new comer to the stage is Telvin Lewis of West Lauderdale, who is playing the part of the Lion. Now that he's had a taste of theater, he wants to be a Broadway performer. He said he loves the singing and dancing, but likes singing the most.

Hunter Braddick of Northeast Lauderdale High School is playing the part of the Wiz.

The Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night shows will be held at 7 p.m. A matinee performance is scheduled for Sunday, May 10 at 2 p.m.

Dr. Todd Brand, Chairman of Meridian Community College's Communications and Fine Arts Department, is overall producer of the production. Steve Nabors, a theater instructor at Meridian Community College, and Jennie Sherven, band instructor at Northeast Middle School, are co-directing the musical.

"We are all aware of how important arts are to all of our society. Our emphasis is to promote arts in our schools in such a way that the students are actively engaged, are given the opportunity to participate, and really enjoy the arts," Randy Hodges, Superintendent of Lauderdale County Schools, said.

During a press conference held Wednesday at Citizens National Bank, Hodges said the school district is very strong academically and athletically.

"But," he said. "There has been a void in the performing arts. We're about to do something about that."

School districts have little money for artistic programs, but the Lauderdale County School District was able to launch a district-wide production because of these sponsors who are underwriting the cost: Jimmy and Ann Alexander, Carol Merrill Academy of Dance, First State Bank, Hotel and Restaurant Supply, Kimbrell Ruffer Lumber Company, Leading Edges Advertising, Meyer and Rosenbaum Insurance, Piggly Wiggly, The Riley Foundation, Rea, Shaw, Giffin and Stuart, LP, Southern Pipe and Supply Company, Structural Steel Services, Inc., Witherspoon & Compton, Attorneys at Law, Custom Frame and Gift, Community Bank, The Service Company, Citizens National Bank, Construction Services, Inc. and Meridian Coca-Cola.