Join the cast of our 71st Season Fundraiser, the Rootin’, Tootin’ Family-Friendly Melodrama “The Wizard of Oz in the Wild West”!
Auditions: Sunday & Monday, August 3 & 4 @ 7:00 p.m.
Show Dates: September 5 – 14, 2025
Directed by Robert Wise
* Auditions will be on the Russell Mainstage.
* Headshots and resumes not required.
* Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.
* All roles currently available.
* All ethnicities and gender identities welcome.
* Some roles may be doubled and/or open to be gender-swapped.
Synopsis:
The immortal characters from The Wizard of Oz live again in this delightful fantasy. A spell cast by the Wicked Witch sends Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man back through time and into the western frontier of the 1880’s. Dorothy and her friends share with the Old West some of the immortal qualities they acquired in Oz; such lessons as courage, intelligence, and heart! “The Wizard of Oz in the Wild West” is a family-friendly melodrama that promises lots of laughs and audience participation: Cheer and applaud the heroes! Boo & hiss the bad guys! You can even throw your popcorn!
Character Descriptions:
Dorothy (F, teen): An honest and unpretentious girl from Kansas.
Scarecrow (teen): Very clumsy, but loves to think deeply.
Tin Man (teen): Noble and true, movements are slow and jerky.
Cowardly Lion (teen): Very blustery despite being docile in nature.
Gus (M, adult): Deputy of Josephville.
Miss Puffing (F, adult): A large and gentle woman. Cashier at the General Store.
Tommy (M, teen+): Cocky and headstrong. Hiram’s son.
Hiram (M, adult): Manager of the General Store.
Miss Grimshaw (F, adult): A small, but tough woman who “owns” Josephville and isn’t above intimidation to get what she wants.
Wild Bill Hickock (M, adult): Sherriff of Deadwood, South Dakota.
Billy the Kid (M, teen+): A famous Wild West outlaw.
Annie Oakley (F, adult): A performer in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. She’s the best sharp-shooter around and she knows it!
Chief Flaming Arrow (M, adult): A performer in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.
Wizard of Oz (M, teen+): Sharp, but whimsical.
Clarise (F, teen+): Assistant to The Wizard of Oz.
