School for Arts ends drama camp on ‘yellow brick road’

Friday the Oasis Life Center (OLC) School for the Arts presented its final drama camp performance for family and friends.

During the previous week students covered the basics of acting on stage as well as how to use the body, voice and facial expression to create and develop character. They also looked at motivation for why a character does what he or she does.

At Friday’s final performance the group of four students presented a staged reading of the children’s theatre “The Wizard of Oz.” They took on multiple characters, creating unique voices and physical characteristics for each.

“I am very proud of how hard these students worked in such a short period of time,” said the school’s director Carrie Vargas. “They received scripts on Wednesday and produced a staged reading two days later. They got very into what they were doing, but most of all they had a lot of fun.”

Natalie Bell played Dorothy in the production while Jason Souza played both the scarecrow and the mayor. Amber Berry took on dual roles as Glinda and the lion. Marina Vasquez played the witch, the doorman and the wizard. Vargas filled in as narrator, the Tin Man and a Munchkin.

Students also received a copy of headshots taken earlier in the week, courtesy of Amy Jamieson Photography. “They now have experience with headshots and résumé writing so that they can go out into the world to audition,” explained Vargas.

OLC School for the Arts will be offering Rock Band Camp on July 13-17 (see related story for details). Arts Camp has been cancelled.

For information regarding classes, contact Vargas via email at [email protected] or by phone at 520-568-6817.

Photo by Carolyn Struble