Directors Notes

Very many know the story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but in this musical version it's a fantasy for today - mysterious, exciting and fanciful. Dorothy's adventures in the Land of Oz are set to music in a dazzling, lively mixture of rock, gospel and soul. The Wiz is the largest musical Ive ever directed. We have over 80 students involved in the production and Ive enjoyed every moment of it. My extended thanks goes to Mr. Freeman, Ms. Fleming, Ms. Harper, Ms. Salinas and Mr. Jennings for collaborating with me on this project. I couldnt have done it without you. Special thanks goes to Mr. Colwell, principal and our administrative team for their support. Thanks is also given to our diligent custodians under the leadership of Ms. Pilar for being so accommodating to us during the rehearsals. Another extended thanks goes to the front office staff for always lending an extra hand. Thanks to our wonderful parents who have been so supportive. Also would like to thank our P. Pack support group under the leadership of Mrs. Lewis. Thank you Mr. Davis and Mr. Lewis, our parent set construction team, for spending countless hours during the holiday break helping us build the set. We really appreciate it. We have some amazing, talented and dedicated students here at Carver Magnet. Words cant express how thankful I am to have students who have such a love and passion for theatre. I would like to thank our student technical director/set designer, Trey Lewis, for his vision dedication, and will power for creating the World of Oz. A thanks is also given to our innovative and passionate student choreographer, Denzel Taylor. Last but certainly not least, a big thanks is given to all the Carver students who helped make this production a success. I wish I could name you all individually. Without further adieu, we are proud to present The Wiz.. Enjoy the show!!! Roshunda Jones Director of Theatre

The Wiz
Book By: William F. Brown Music & Lyrics By: Charlie Smalls Direction By: Roshunda Jones Choreography By: Sarita Salinas, Tamara Harper & Denzel Taylor Musical Direction By: Daryle Freeman Production Assistant: Tamara Fleming Technical Direction By: Trey Morgan Lewis

Program
The Feeling We Once Had.........Aunt Em
Tornado ..Dorothy & Company Dancers Hes The Wiz.. Addaperle & Munchkins Soon As I Get HomeDorothy Ease on Down the Road.Dorothy, Scarecrow & Yellow Brick Road Slide Some Oil To Me...Tinman Ease on Down the Road.Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman & Yellow Brick Road Kalidah BattleFriends & Kalidahs Be a Lion.Dorothy & Lion Lions Dream.Lion & Poppies So You Wanted to Meet The Wizard..The Wiz ------------------------------------- Intermission ------------------------------------10-15 minutes

Act One

No Bad News..Evilene & Winkies Funky Monkeys .Monkeys Everybody Rejoice......Friends & Winkies Believe in Yourself.Glinda

Act Two

Home,......Dorothy

The Wonderful World of Oz

Dorothy......Amber Scott Lion.......+Donte Wright Scarecrow........Jeremiah Gray Tin Man....Alric Davis/ Andrew Wesley (Understudy) The Wiz...+Trey Lewis Addapearle...+Teashia Harrison/Precious Rayfield. (Understudy) Evilene........Ashley Madison Glinda......*Paris Kent Aunt Em......KYuana Nelson Uncle Henry......... .+Christopher Akens Gatekeeper.........John Washington Lord High Underling......Jekari Stewart Winged Monkey.Andrew Wesley

Cast

The Company
Erin Audrey Allen, Suzanne Alonzo, Jamal Austin, Maci Bass, Brooke BassMarian Baynard, Yesha Benjamin, Jaylon Bradley, Raisa Coronel, Valencia Delacerda, Priscilla Dubose, Tameara Ford, Alejandra Garza, Scyllia Green, Shantayvia Hart, +Breonna Holland, Dejia Irvin, Amber Jackson, Andranique Jasmine, Glyndayvia James, +Ariel Johnson , Nia Jones, Berlie Joubert, Brandon Lawson, Lidia Lechuga, Naomi Lemons , Gabriella Martinez, Chelsea McPhee, Brianna Mccray, Dahleah Moore, Travion Payne, Auberjay Perry, Brandi Rayfield , Precious Rayfield, Julie Ramos, Bria Rhodes, Sophia Romo, Isaish Rusk, Kimberly Schweter, Kayla Sinisterra, Bria Smalley, Calep Smith, Jensen Smith, Anthony Taylor, Denzel Taylor, Jonathan Taylor, Katrina Thibodeaux, Malcolm Thomas, Gabrielle Trevino, Domonique Walker, Nyles Washington, Andrew Wesley, Dahzione Williams, Delaney Williams, Devon Witchet

Bethune Academy Drama

Hayley Griggs, Jada Lewis Small, Chyna Turner & Jordan Washington

Houston Academy Drama

Sylvia Amaya, Jaela Amons, Lauryn Cornish, Joshua Diaz, Genesis Figueroa, Chardayvia McKensie, Jason Meja, Tiffany Ponce, Naliyah Price, ShawQuintae Promise, Lamond Watson and Kemorian Willis

* Indicates Carver High School Alumni + Indicates Theatre Officers

Panther PlayersSenior Class of 2011

Chris Akens
Chris Akens is a 17 year old as well a senior at Carver Magnet H.S. He has been an active participant in the Theatre program all of his . I can count all the shows I have been in from Dreamgirls to Dark of the Moon. At this time, I am undecided the college I want to attend, but I plan to major in Theatre and minor in Business Management. It has been a pleasure working with everyone in my troupe as well as being under the direction of Ms. Jones. I would like to thank her and my fellow troupe members for giving me a home away from home.

Erin -Audrey Allen

Erin Audrey is 18 years old and has been involved in the theatre program for four years. She has done hair and make up for Dreamgirls and Sweet Charity where she was The Twirl Girl. She will attend Sam Houston State University where she will major in Criminal Justice and Minor in Psychology. She plans to become an Investigative Detective and have her own forensic lab. She is featured in The Wiz as Mama Crow.

Shannon Bailey
Shannon Bailey was born on November 4, 1992 and is now 18 years old. She has been in theatre since kindergarten. In her high school career, she has been in Cinderella as a chorus member, a doctor in Before It Hits Home, Rosie in Sweet Charity, Barbara in Dark of the Moon and now stage manager in The Wiz. She has also been in many minor shows. She plans on attending University of Texas in Austin and major in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Senior Biographies

Priscilla Dubose
Priscilla Dubose is 17 years old and a senior at Carver Magnet H.S. She has been a part of the Theatre strand all four of her years. She has been a cast member of Dreamgirls, Sweet Charity, and The Wiz. She has also worked crew for UIL show, Dark of the Moon as well as a crew for the Thespian Festival Show, The Complete History of America Abridged. This fall at Thespian Festival, she participated in group musical and advanced to Nationals. When she graduates, she hopes to attend the University of Houston where she will major in Communications and Journalism. She would like to thank her mom, Shirley Dubose for helping her I all her endeavors.

Teashia Harrison
Teashia Harrison is 17 years old and a senior at Carver H.S. She has been in Theatre all four of her years at Carver which adds to her years of dance and theatre since kindergarten. She has been in the musicals Cinderella, Dreamgirls and had her breakout role as Nickie in Sweet Charity. Teashia has been one of few to be in the UIL competition since her freshman year winning Best Technical, then All-Star cast her Sophomore year. She advanced to Nationals for Duet Musical at this years Thespian Festival. She plans to pursue a career in the mass media through Broadcasting at CAU. She also wants to minor in the field of social work. Teashia would like to thank God, her mother, family and of course Ms. Jones and Mr. Freeman for giving her the opportunity to showcase her talents. If you dont acknowledge those whom help you, then dont expect to get anywhere.

Ariel Johnson
Ariel Johnson is 17 years old. She has been in Theatre for three years. She has participated in the following shows: Dreamgirls, A Lesson Before Dying, Sweet Charity, Dark of the Moon, Infancy, The Complete History of America Abridged, The Wiz and several black history shows. She will participate in this years UIL show as well. She advanced to Nationals in Group Acting and Duet Acting from the Texas Thespian Festival. She currently stands as the theatre president. When she graduates, she will be attending Howard University and major in Business Marketing.

Breonna Holland
Breonna Holland is eighteen years old and a senior at Carver. She serves as Panther Players treasurer. She has been an active member of the troupe for three years and has performed in Dreamgirls, Sweet Charity and Dark of the Moon. She plans to attend Louisiana State University to major in Biology to become an OBGYN. She would like to thank the woman in her life Felicia, Emman, Shanda, Vickie and Dominique. She would like to dedicate her performance to her late Uncle Alfred Wayne and her grandfather Victor Washington.

Senior Biographies

Ashley Madison
Ashley Madison is a seventeen year old senior. This Choir member of four years has received many awards including solo, ensemble and the San Antonio Music Festival Patch. After years of singing, she is now branching out into musical theatre. The Wiz is the first show in which she has participated. After graduation, she plans to attend Prairie View A&M University and major in Early Childhood Education and Minor in Musical Production.

Chelsea McPhee
Chelsea McPhee is 17 years old. She has been in the performing arts strand for four years. This is her first musical at Carver but she has been musically inclined for many years. After graduation, she will be attending Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. She will major in Psychology and minor in Music. She will be a part of the infamous Human Juke Box marching Band. Her career goals are to have a stable job as a social worker for child protective services or possibly go back to school for her bachelors in music and become a professor in music for a HBCU.

Gabriella Martinez
Gabriella Martinez is 18 years old. This is her first year as a Theatre Department student, but was cast in last years play Sweet Charity as a supporting actress named Nikki. She enjoys helping in anyway she can and does the lighting for this current play The Wiz. She plans to attend Texas A & M University in the fall as a Business Major. In her future, she plans to become a prestigious business woman.

Daniel Puente
Daniel Puente was born on August 25, 1993. He is currently seventeen years. He became involved in theatre when he was recruited as in-house crew for Sweet Charity. He will be attending Lone Star College and earn his Associates Degree and then moving on to Texas A & M University to become a Petroleum Engineer.

Johnathan Taylor
Johnathan Taylor is 17 years old and a senior at Carver Magnet H.S. He has been a part of the Engineering strand all four of his years at Carver. He has been playing drums since a young age. The Wiz will be his first theatrical musical performance at Carver. When he graduates, he hopes to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he will major in Biology and Kinesiology. He hopes to one day be a Pharmacist with the ability to practice sports medicine.

Donte Wright
Donte has been in theatre for four years and choir for three years. He has been in every production that the Panther Players have put on the stage. When he graduates, he plans to attend the New York Film Academy to pursue Musical Theatre. He loves theatre and being on stage and one day he hopes to own his own theatre and production studio.

Jekari Stewart
Jekari has been in theatre for three years and he serves as a thespian. Jekari has been involved in productions such as Dreamgirls, Sweet Charity, Dark of the Moon, Black History shows and many more. This year at thespian festival, he qualified for Nationals in Group Acting. When he graduates, he plans to major in theatre. He would like to thank his Ms. Jones, his mother and father for their support.

Daryle Freeman
~Musical Director~
Mr. Freeman is a native of Lake Charles, Louisiana. He received his Bachelors and Masters in Vocal Music Education from Jackson State University. He is the Choir Director of G.W. Carver Magnet High School. He is also a gifted playwright and director. Mr. Freeman is Director of Music at the New Hope Missionary Baptist where Reverend Carlton Sylvester is Pastor. His musical talents always add something special to the Panther Player productions.

Tamara Harper
~Choreographer~ Tamara Harper is a native Houstonian who is not only a choreographer, but a professional dancer, and actress. She has performed with the Ensemble Theater, Kuumba House African Dance Theater, Stages Repertory Theater. She has trained in drumming and dance in Guinea, West Africa and various of other dance companies. Locally, she has worked as an instructor, and choreographer for Alief ISD, Houston ISD and Aldine ISD.

Tamara Fleming
~Houston Academy Theatre Director~ Ms. Tamara Fleming was born and raised in Southern Indiana. She graduated from the University of Evansville in Evansville, Indiana with a Bachelors degree in Mass Communications and a Minor in Graphic Design. She started teaching in Aldine ISD in 2000. She has been teaching theatre at Houston Academy since the school opened 8 years ago. She directs Houston Academy's annual winter musicals such as The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, and I Need a Little Christmas. In 2006 she wrote and directed the musical In the Mood for Christmas. Her spring shows include fun productions such as Jack n'the Beanstalk, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Cinderella vs The Step Family and short original collections in compiled in The Fairly Odd Tales and Comedy Shorts.This production of The Wiz will be Ms. Fleming's 4th assistance with a high school productions.

Paris Kent
Carver H. S. Alumni Paris Kent (Glinda) is the daughter of Phillip and Tomeka Kent. Paris loves acting, singing and dancing. Paris is a Carver Performing Arts Alumni and we are glad she has shared her talents with us during her holiday break. She currently attends Sam Houston State University where her major is dance. Paris played Charity in Sweet Charity, Michelle in DREAMGIRLS and Edna Summey in Dark of the Moon. Paris has extensive dance training and was awarded the Debbie Allen Dance Scholarship for 2008 and 2010 where she participated in a summer dance intensive. She also received the Dance Theatre of Harlem Scholarship. In high school, Paris ranked number five for region choir beating out several students in the Houston area. During her Carver years she was a member of the MET and she student director of the choir and a thespian. Paris would like to thank God, her parents and her grandmother who supports her continuously. She also thanks her teachers who have taught her everything she knows. She would also like to thank her family and friends.

Black History Show

February 17, 2011

UIL One Act

March 2011

Senior Show
May 3, 2011

Banquet
May 5, 2011

Student Technical Director..................................Trey Lewis Student Choreographer....Denzel Taylor Munchkin Choreographs Teashia Harrison & Donte Wright Stage Manager.......Fallon Williams Assistant Stage Managers.....Shannon Bailey & Daniel Puente Intermediate Liaison Alejandra Garza Lighting & Multimedia Designer......Cordero Jennings Light Operators.....Gabriella Martinez & Miguel Rodriguez Sound Operators..Cordero Jennings & Gabriella Martinez Spot Light...Zayna Hoskins & Tori Parker Theatre Production Teacher..............................................Benjamin Graham Set Designers...........................................................Trey Lewis Set Construction .. Mr. Elijah Davis and Mr. Russell Lewis Scenic Artist...Travion Payne Set Crew....Mia Mitchell, Jalen Patterson, Rodney Richardson & Wiz Cast Members CurtainsFallon Williams and Jalen Patterson Prop Master...Shantayvia Hart and Teashia Harrison Prop/Paint Crew.Alric Davis, Domonique Walker, Erin-Audrey Allen, Nia Jones, Malcolm Thomas, Andrew Wesley and Amber Jackson, Caleb Smith Costume Designers Roshunda Jones, Tamara Fleming & Denzel Taylor Costume Construction ..Linda Fleming and Tamara Fleming Publicity Managers... Trey Lewis & Shelia Lewis House Crew Zayna Hoskins, Mikela Levi, Arthur Fernandez, Nikki Bayesagn, Daisha Jackson, Dyasha Pickens, Aaliyah Ryan, Kaitlyn Stanberry, Natalie Berry, Francheska Evans, Erica Lynn Jones,

Supporting the Panther Players

Fundraising

The Carver Theatre Department (The Panther Players) will be raising money for the 2010-2011 School Year. All of the money will go towards getting set pieces and new equipment for our productions. We do accept donation of all kinds. If you would like to support us in our Banquet, Fundraising, Publicity, Food/Hospitality, Sewing, or anything else that you would like to give please contact Ms. Roshunda Jones at (281)-591-8585 or email her at rdjones@aldine.k12.tx.us For Donations: $25 (Individual one year Membership) $50 (Family Membership) $100 (Corporate Sponsor) $101-$250 (Bronze Corporate Sponsor) $251-$499 (Silver Corporate Sponsor) $500+ (Gold Corporate Sponsor) $1000+ (Underwriter For A Show) $2000+ (Honorary Thespian)
****Patrons like you are the key to our success****

Booking
The Panther Players perform only for donations. We act, sing, and dance. We have performed for multiple events in the Houston area. In order for us to be at our very best, we require 3 weeks notice. We do Church Events, Grand Openings, Organization Events, and much, much more. If you would like for us to perform for your next event, please contact Trey Morgan Lewis our Public Relation Manager at (832)-513-3626

Parents -Join the Panther Players P-Pack

Attention All Parents: We encourage you to get involved in the activities of the Panther Players parent group as we work together to support the Carver Theatre Department. For additional information, please contact, Shelia Lewis, P-Pack President at 713-628-5848.

Thank You!!! You are Simply the Best!

Mr. Colwell, Principal Mr. Coleman, Asst. Principal Mrs. Walker, Asst. Principal Mrs. Calhoun, Asst. Principal Mrs. Brown, Performing Arts Counselor Mrs. Houston, Engineering Counselor Ms. Ontiveros, Visual Art Counselor Carver Performing Arts Department Mrs. Clebourne & Front Office Staff Mrs. Netra Banks Mrs. Pilar Deleon & the Custodial Staff Carver Faculty and Staff P.Pack Theatre Parent Support Group, Family and Friends Eisenhower High School Theatre Arts Department Mrs. Linda Fleming Mr. Elijah Davis & Mr. Russell Lewis, Set Builders Ms. Roshunda Jones, Director Mr. Darryl Freeman, Musical Director Paris Kent Houston Academy, Ruby Allen (Principal) Bethune Academy, Theresa Craft (Principal)

Whats Life

Without Drama?

George Washington Carver Magnet High School

~ Theatre Department ~
2100 S. Victory St. * Houston, TX 77088 http://www.wix.com/panther_players/cover-page