Unit 2 - Engaging with an Audience Task 1, 2 + 3

Task 1 - Audition Process and Evaluation

My main audition this term and my only one really, came from doing my audition as Glinda for Wizard of Oz. I explain in deeper context about how I felt and how it went in my blog titled 'Audition Process for Wizard of Oz'. I feel that if I were given the chance to audition again, as Glinda I would have used the floor more instead of focusing in on how I was stood and carried myself, I remember my arms were floaty and fairy like to represent her innocence and kindness that she wouldn't harm anything. If I were to audition again, I would go for the challenging role of Dorothy that I was capable of going for in the first place, I needed to not stick in a safe place and go for something that'll challenge myself and my acting abilities but that'll give me some confidence alongside it. To prepare for the audition, I remember I would read a line, looking at my script, then not looking until I could confidently say it without the words in full character. I would then go onto my next line repeating the line before it, so that each line was coming naturally since I had spent a considerate amount on each one. To prepare, I would ask my brother to read in as the other characters that were a part of my audition piece, in order to give a great reaction in my character, which happened to be Glinda. Before the audition, myself and a few friends would do quick practices, filling in for each other which I feel like helped us out before we walked into the audition room as any last difficulties had disappeared.

Task 2 - Production and Performance

My full production and performance thoughts and what happened on each day in depth are on a blog named 'Wizard of Oz'. I also write about the upcoming days to the show week in my weekly production diary, which highlights further to progress and journey to becoming Dorothy. In my performance of Wizard of Oz, as a Munchkin I felt really confident in my role as hairdresser as I would use my hair brush on Emie's hair since she was my daughter in the show. I was portraying my role as a mother with Emie and my job in Munchkin land as a hairdresser. I used my body language when the Wicked Witch of the West appeared by cowering in front of Emie to show I was protecting my daughter from evil, and when we were only in the presence of the Good Witch of the North I would look at her in awe by leaning over my own feet to see her but not get too close to cover the scene happening with Dorothy. In my performance of an Ozian, I didn't feel as confident as I was being a Munchkin since I knew there was a walking line we had to make sure was concise and on point, since in character Ozians are meant to be in order and robotic almost with how they act under the Wizard. As an Ozian, we also say lines together at the same point which was most times fine but we all had to swiftly look at each as an understanding we were starting, or someone would go first which told us to join in. I did enjoy being an Ozian however, as it felt like I was a huge part in a key scene in the show as Dorothy is on her way to meeting the Wizard and we are welcoming her to Oz. We had to make sure to keep these green glasses on as without them, what the Wizard makes a clear point about, wouldn't make sense and that would hinder the whole point of the story. Spacing was really well as an Ozian, since we made sure to spread out meaning we weren't all collectively bunched up in the corner. We wanted to show our personalities when we were on our own or with someone, so I kept the hairdresser occupation the same and stood with Emie and combing her hair through whilst she was sat on a block. As Dorothy, I just loved going on stage every time. I feel whats really great about parts that only a few people is that each and every person has their own personal experience. I had an amazing experience and found that spacing myself around the stage was simple and efficient. I explain more about my thoughts and how I could have improved in the blog labelled 'Wizard of Oz'. I feel I contributed in all shows, whoever I was, physically as I gave all I could and tried to find new ways to improve my actions. 

Task 3 - Wizard of Oz research

The Wizard of Oz is widely known in both film, stage and book, for its powerful message of friendship and love and to not take what you have for granted. It has been transported and told in many different ways with it being turned into the iconic film starring Judy Garland, brought to Broadway and inspiring plays, films and musicals to happen with its message that stays true even today. 

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Book

It was first published in the year 1900 on May 17th by author L. Frank Baum under the title The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and illustrated by W. W Denslow. The summary of the book is about a young Kansas girl named Dorothy, who with her little dog Toto, is swept away by a tornado that sets them down in the magical land of Oz. Dorothy goes on a journey alongside Toto, where she meets some faces along the way, who join and help her to see the Wizard of Oz in order to get back home. L. Frank Baum plucked ideas and characters from his life, like the character of Dorothy was dedicated to his wife after her infant niece became gravelly sick and died whom she loved and adored. This made the book more personal and touching. The book showed to be very popular with over 5 million copies being sold worldwide, and it led to L. Frank Baum to write 13 more sequels to this original story. In a letter to his brother, the books publisher George M. Hill only predicted a sale of 250,000, admitting to not think it would be a phenomenon. The influence for him to write The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was because he noticed a large amount of Populist ideas which pushed him to write it as an allegory for American society but told through a children's story. He began writing it in the 1890's which he found to be a time of great social and political change which is where his idea for the story came from, to highlight this he created the main messages of good vs evil, the comfort of being home and how important friendship is. His story is still spoken about today proving how important it is to people. 

It's strange ban...

Upon researching, I found out that The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was reportedly banned in 1928 for being untrue to life, with a portrayal of a strong female protagonist and use of witchcraft. In 1986, a group of Fundamentalist Christian families from Tennessee got together and tried to have the book removed from the public school syllabus. Reasons also included that families disapproved of the characterisation of the Good Witches since all witches were meant to be very bad, not kind and helpful which many parents found to be worried that their children would be "seduced into godless super naturalism". Luckily, the judges refused to hear their case and it was dismissed. It had before the dismissal reached the federal judge who asked parents to excuse their children from any lessons that were talking about the book, but they weren't happy about the outcome which prompted them to challenge it further. 

The 1939 classic movie adaption

Directed by Victor Fleming and adapted from the book, The Wizard of Oz according to the U.S Library of Congress is the most seen movie in film history. Most famous for its use of Technicolor, the film was not an automatic hit earning $3 million at the box office. Despite this, the film was nominated for six Academy Awards and won for Best Original Score and Best Original Song of 'Somewhere Over a Rainbow' by Judy Garland. The song is timeless and highlights the real message of the film from the start. It originally wasn't going to be in the film, since MGM felt it made the Kansas scene far too long along with thinking it was degrading for Judy to sing in a barnyard. Luckily, Victor Fleming and many producers fought to keep it in and eventually won; little did they know just how lasting that song would go on to be. Named her most famous role, Judy Garland plays the pinnacle role of Dorothy Gale alongside Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, Jack Haley as the Tin-Man and Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion. The movie follows the book with slight differences, like the character of Glinda is the Good Witch of The North and Belinda isn't spoken about unlike the book where Glinda is the Good Witch of The South, and Belinda the Good Witch of The North is talked about at the end. Another difference is that Dorothy's iconic ruby slippers are obviously red in the movie, however in the novel they were her silver slippers. This was down to filming reasons so that they could take advantage of the Technicolour process. The film however is filled with some of the greatest movie quotes ever such as "There's no place like home." and "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore". It truly has kept the book alive with its live action touch of bright colours and classic songs.  

Musicals and Movies

After the 1939 film of The Wizard of Oz came out, it spurred on many more films to come soon after. In 1972, as part of films 35th anniversary, they released an animated film named 'Journey Back to Oz' which featured the voice of Judy Garland's daughter Liza Minnelli. Soon later, came in 1975 comic books adapted from the book which was in co-production with DC and Marvel comics. In 1978, a re-imagining of the novel came the musical film 'The Wiz' starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, that features an all African-American cast.  The most notable reinterpretation that has come from the books release along with the film, is the Broadway musical of Wicked that premiered in 2003. Its success is international with it being the second-highest grossing Broadway musical of all time and won 3 Tony Awards alongside a Grammy. The musical follows Elphaba - The Wicked Witch of the West - and Galinda - the Good Witch - as they navigate through life and their friendship, shown before Dorothy lands in Oz and after she leaves Oz. It's songs of strength like 'Defying Gravity' have proven to be inspiring as astronauts aboard a space shuttle mission would wake up to the song every morning in honour of the days planned activities. The musical has underlying notes of power, courage and of course friendship which is exactly what the original novel back in 1900 wanted to highlight.

Moral of the Story

When L. Frank Baum wrote this novel, I don't think he truly realised just how impactful and long lasting his characters, land of oz and message would be in this world. Amongst the many messages in his book, I believe the key one is to believe in yourself. There's only one you and embracing the morals the strengths within yourself is truly important to being happy and confident. Each character's trait they most desire, they all have inside them  without realising. The scarecrow is after brains to make him smart, but in the book he's the one that tells them about the poppies, without his knowledge they would have all fell asleep and not been able to get to the Wizard. The Lion wants courage, but he helps scare away the Wizard and ends up revealing his true identity. Without it, Dorothy wouldn't have found her way back home to Kansas and the Wizard would have lived out his life of a fraud. It's once they are gifted it, they realise just how amazing they all are.  The story of Dorothy and her friends resonates within us all, and teaches us to embrace ourselves.